FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
1 0 Jul 21 
1\11 :05 
SENATE 
S.No. 1721 
iHECEIVI')) 8y 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 2, provides: 
Section 13. The State recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-
building and shall promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual and social 
well-being. 
It shall inculcate in the youth patriotism and nationalism, and 
encourage their involvement in public and civic affairs. 
Section 17. 
The State shall give priority to education, science and 
technology, arts, culture and sports to foster patriotism and nationalism, accelerate 
social progress, and promote total human liberation and development. 
Quality education is necessary not only for the future of our children and our families, but 
for the future of our country. A better educated citizemy and workforce are essential to compete 
in the global' economy and to maintain a strong democracy. 
A safe school environment is a prerequisite towards achieving that goal. If the 
government is to effectively provide quality education, it must provide students an environment 
conducive to learning. 
The continued presence in schools of violent students, who are a threat to both teachers 
and other students, is incompatible with a safe learning environment. 
Unsafe school 
environments discourage students to go to school and place those who are already at risk of 
school failure for other reasons in further jeopardy. 
Greater cooperation between schools, parents, law enforcement, the courts, and the 
community is essential to making our schools safe from drugs and violence. The purpose ofthis 
bill is to establish innovative programs to provide safe school environments.' 
• This bill was originally filed during the Thirteenth Congress, First Regular Session. 


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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
) 
) 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
S.No. 1721 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
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'10 
JUL 21 
1\1' :u5 
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, 
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ESTABLISHING INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS TO PROVIDE SAFE SCHOOL 
ENVIRONMENTS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the Hause .of Representatives .of the Philippines in 
Cangress assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Shart Title. - This Act shaH be known as the "Safe Schools Act." 
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SECTION 2. Purpose. - It is the purpose of this Act to urge the Department of 
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Education, Culture and Sports and other educational agencies -
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(A) To provide comprehensive services to victims and witnesses of school violence; 
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(B) To remove violent and drug selling student offenders fi'om school premises; 
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(C) To report violent crimes and drug dealing on school grounds to appropriate law 
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enforcement authorities; 
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(D) To involve parents, former armed forces personnel, and community volunteers in 
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efforts to improve school safety; and 
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(E) 
To develop innovative programs to improve the safety of our Nation's schools and 
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to better serve at-risk students. 
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SECTION 3. Autharizatian .of Apprapriatians. - There are authorized to be appropriated 
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such sums as may be necessary to carry out this Act. 
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SECTION 4. Pragram Autharized. -
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(A) In General. - The Secretary of Education shall develop, establish, or conduct as may 
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be necessary to carry out this Act. 


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(B) NATURE. - The Secretary shall, for school implementation, focus on programs 
(1) Provide parent and teacher notification of crimes or drug activity occurring at 
school; 
(2) Provide for the suspenSIOn, delay, or restriction of driving privileges of 
students who have a conviction, an adjudication in a juvenile proceeding, or a 
finding in a school disciplinary proceeding, involving illegal drugs; 
(3) Link educational institutions with community-based mentoring programs in 
order to linle individual at-risk youth with responsible, individual adults who 
serve as mentors for the purpose of -
(a) Discouraging at-risk youth from using illegal drugs and dangerous 
weapons, and from violence, criminal activity, and involvement in 
gangs; 
(b) Increasing youth participation in, and enhancing the ability of such 
youth to benefit from, elementary and secondary education; 
(c) Promoting personal and social responsibility; 
(d) Encouraging at-risk youth participation in community service and 
community activities; and 
(e) Providing general guidance to at-risk youth; 
(4) Include cooperative efforts between the Secretary of Education and the 
Secretary of National Defense to share the training and salary costs of former 
members of the Anned Forces, who shall be hired as teachers and assigned to 
teach in public elementary schools and secondary schools; 
(5) Enhance school security measures that may include-
(a) Equipping schools with metal detectors, fences, closed circuit cameras, 
and other physical security measures; 
(b) Providing increased police patrols in and around elementary schools 
and secondary schools; 
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(c) Mailing to parents at the beginning of the school year stating that the 
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possession of a gun or other weapon, or the sale of drugs in schools, 
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will not be tolerated by school authorities; and 
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(d) Gun hotlines. 
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(6) Provide protections for victims and witnesses to school crime, including 
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protection for attendance at school disciplinary proceedings; 
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(7) Expel students who, on school grounds, sell drugs, or who commit a violent 
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offense that causes serious bodily injury of another student or teacher; and 
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(8) Require referral to law enforcement authorities or juvenile authorities of any 
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student who on school grounds-
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(a) Commits a violent offense resulting in serious bodily injury; or 
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(b) Sells drugs. 
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SECTION 5. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof, is held invalid or 
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unconstitutional, the reminder of the law of the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
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valid and SUbsisting. 
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SECTION 6. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
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order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to, or inconsistent 
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with, the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly. 
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SECTION 7. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
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pUblication-in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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