City officials reiterated to the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) to heighten police visibility in all schools in the city to help in deterring the occurrence of crimes and install law and order, among students, residents and visitors alike.
Under Resolution No. 590, series of 2022, city legislators underscored that the presence of police in schools is necessary for security measures and maintenance of peace and order and to possibly contain the exposure of children and students to crimes in going to and coming from school.
During the Scout Officials for A Day (SOFAD) regular session held on November 7, 2022, the SOFAD Council adopted the proposal of SOFAD Councilor Rayner C. Paulha which reminded the BCPO of existing resolutions and policies intended to expand security measures in all schools in the city and reiterating implementation of the same.
The council pointed out that with the full implementation of face-to-face classes in all schools in the country starting on August 22, 2022 in many selected schools as directed in the Department of Education No.34, series of 2022, and on November 10, 2022, under DepEd Order No. 44, series of 2022, the police ,which is part of the implementing and monitoring agency of the program, should be reminded of existing security measures and policies for schools.
Further, the city’s legislative body adopted various legislative measures for police visibility in all public and private schools in the city such as Resolution No. 191, series of 2001, which directed the BCPO to strictly increase police visibility in the university belt and the central business district before and during classes; Resolution No. 284, series of 2003, that requested the visibility of at least one police officer from the BCPO in all private and private schools in the city; Resolution No. 281, series of 2007, that requested the BCPO to assign and/or detail police officers between 4 pm to 9 pm in the school and university areas; Resolution No. 337, series of 2013, which requested the BCPO to implement approved resolutions pertaining to the visibility of police personnel in all public and private schools in the city to augment security measures for peace and order and Ordinance No. 59, series of 2017, that prevented act of bullying committed among students in Baguio city.
Copies of the said resolution will be furnished to the BCPO and all schools in the city for their information, guidance and ready reference.