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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF nIE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
SENATE 
S. No. 
2323 
) 
) 
) 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
AN ACT 
• !. 
Jill 24 P II :00 
" 
' 
ESTABLISHING A CENTER FOR THE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT OF 
STRATEGIES ON CAMPUS SAFETY 
The Constitution, Article 2, provides: 
Sec. 13. The State recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-
building and shall promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual, 
intellectual and social well-being ... 
Article 14, provides: 
Sec. 4 (1) The State recognizes the complementary roles of public 
and private institutions in the educational system and shall exercise 
reasonable supervision and regulation of all educational institutions ... 
Recently, two incidents of violence involving college students have been in the 
news. The first is about a sophomore student at the De La Salle-College of S1. Benilde 
(DLS-CSB), who died after a hazing ritual; the second is about a 17-year old student of 
the University of the Philippines, whose family plans to take legal action against the 
Upsilon Sigma Phi fraternity after the student sustained severe life-threatening injuries 
following his initiation into the fraternity. 
I-lazing is not the only kind of threat to a student's safety and well-being. 
Students, faculty and staff from colleges or institutions of higher education are vulnerable 


or have actually experienced various types of danger. These include: fraternity-related 
violence, sexual abuse, theft, robbery and other unfortunate situations. 
Hazards to safety can be both internal and external. College students themselves, 
can be the source of irresponsible and even criminal behavior. For teenagers, it is not 
unusual to undergo bouts of depression, insecurity or to succumb to peer pressure. They 
are exposed to violent media, and drugs and alcohol are accessible. Unfortunately, not all 
teens react to these situations in a mature fashion. 
Though it would be impossible for the school authorities to prevent every single 
episode of violence involving students, all schools should take steps to create a safer 
environment that is conducive to learning. 
However, to be able to create such an 
environment, the school authorities must be able to address issues which concern the 
youth that can lead to anti-social, violent or criminal behaviour. This requires a certain 
level of competence and skill in understanding these underlying factors and creating the 
necessary solutions. 
It is obvious that not all campuses are equipped with administrative and security. 
personnel with such competence and skill; hence, the state must come to the assistance of 
these college campuses. In other countries I, the alarming increase in incidents of sexual 
abuse in college campuses has spurred the state to invest in strategies focused on 
increasing the safety of students and guide them in making more responsible decisions. 
This bill establishes a center for research and development on strategies for the 
promotion and maintenance of safety and security within the campuses of institutions of 
higher education. 
~~ J · 
. MIRIAM DEF~:O;SAN~ 
r# 
I This proposed legislation is based on a bill filed in the US House of Representatives as H.R.359. 
2 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
SENAl'J;. 
S. No. 
~~2a 
) 
) 
) 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
e,i Jill ;~~ P 11 :00 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
AN ACT 
2 
ESTABLISHING A CENTER FOR TI-IE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT OF 
3 
STRATEGIES ON CAMPUS SAFETY 
4 
SECTION l. Shorl Tit/e. - This Act shall be known as the, "Saved by the Bell 
5 
Act." 
6 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the Statc 
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to assist schools increase the safety of students, protect persons and property inside 
8 
campuses, and enhance the well-being of all those inside schools. 
9 
SECTION 3. 
Establishment of a Center for research and development on 
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strategies jor the promotion of Safety on Campus. - There shall be established, undcr the 
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Department of Justice, a Center for Campus Safety hereinafter referred to as CCS. The 
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Executive Director of the Office shall be appointed by the President. 
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The CCS shall have the following functions: 
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(A) Foster research and develop management strategies and practices to 
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strengthen, promote and maintain the safety and security of institutions of 
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higher education; 
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(B) Serve as a clearinghouse for the identification and dissemination of 
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information, policies, protocols, procedures, and best practices relevant to 
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campus public safety, including off-campus housing safety, the prevention of 


violence against persons and property, and emergency response and 
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evacuation proce;dure;s; 
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(C) Promote; coope;ration, collaboration, and consistency in pre;vention, response, 
4 
and 
problem-solving methods 
among public 
safety 
and 
emergency 
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manage;ment personne;l of institutions of higher e;ducation and their campus 
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and non-campus-based collaborative partners, including law enforcement, 
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emergency management, mental health services, and other relevant agencies; 
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(D) Consult with experts and stakeholders on current youth issues; 
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(E) Provide education and conduct training programs on campus safety to local 
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police, security personnel of institutions of higher education and their 
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collaborative partners, including campus health agencies; 
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(F) Evaluate current national and local programs related to safety inside campuses, 
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and develop general guidelines for schools. 
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SECTION 4. Board of Directors. - The powe;rs of the CCS shall be ve;sted in and 
15 
exercised by a Board of Directors, hereinafter referred to as the Board, which shall be 
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composed of the following members: 
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A. Secretary of the Department of Justice (DOJ), who shall chair the Board; 
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B. Secretary of the Department ofInterior and Local Government; 
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C. Chairperson of CI-IED; 
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D. Chairperson of the National Youth Commission; 
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E. A representative of an association of private schools; and 
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F. A member of a Parents-Teachers Association; 
G. A member ofa youth organization with a national membership. 
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SECTION 5. The Executive Director. -The Executive Director shall be appointed 
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by the President. The Executive Director shall be the chief executive of the CCS and shall 
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exerCIse direct control and supervision over the internal operations, personnel and 
2 
representatives of the CCS. He or she is also authorized to represent the CCS 111 its 
3 
transactions. 
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SECTION 6. Schools to develop a campus security program. - All institutions of 
5 
higher education shall establish a program to improve safety and enhance security for all 
6 
person within their campus. In creating this program, they shall consult with the CCS. 
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SECTION 7. Authorization of Appropriations. - To carry out the provisions of this 
8 
Act, there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for each 
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liscal year. 
10 
SECTION 8. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof, is held invalid 
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or unconstitutional, the reminder of the law of the provision not otherwise affected shall 
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remain valid and sUbsisting. 
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SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
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executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to, 
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or inconsistent with, the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended 
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accordingly. 
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SECTION 10. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take efIect tifteen (15) days after 
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its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved. 
lacs 
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