Republic of the Philippine
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No, 2982

INTRODUCED BY REP. ROMAN T. ROMULO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The alarming incidence of campus violence committed inside or outside the higher education
institutions (HEIs), and mostly involving students, has continued to increase in recent years,

In the last quarter of 2012 alone, several cases of homicide and murder occurred in the
University Belt area. On October 2, 2012, it was reported that Joanne Lourdes Reyes, a 20-
year-old Computer Science student from the University of Santo Tomas (UST) was assaulted
by a group of female students on the campus of the Far Eastern University (FEU) while standing
in the hallway of the Science Department. Barely a week after, Kevin Roy Castro, an
Information Technology student from the Adamson University, was attacked by at least four
fellow students inside the university. On November 23 of the same year, a UST junior Pharmacy
student was severely injured after being beaten and shot by a group of students at the corner of
P. Noval and J, Barlin streets in the U-belt area, In December 2012, a new case of violence was
again reported in the university belt when three members of FEU's drum and bugle band were
shot by unidentified motorcycle-riding gunmen. Two of them were pronounced dead after being
tushed to UST Hospital. There was also the killing of Mindanao State University Professor
Othello Cobal and his student in broad daylight inside the MSU Campus also in October 2012

According to a report from the Varsitarian, the official news organ of UST, the University Belt
‘Area (UBA) blotter entries for the last quarter of 2012 revealed that Lerma Street was the scene
of most cases, with 19 incidents of crimes. The surrounding streets, which include S.H. Loyola
Street and Claro M. Recto Avenue, recorded 12 and six cases, respectively. Espafia Boulevard
came in with 18 and P. Noval Street with 15 reported incidents. Lacson Avenue recorded nine
while Dapitan Street had eight occurrences, the Varsitarian report added

This situation has raised concerns on the safety and security of HEls as the guardian and
second home of students considering that they spend a great portion of their time inside the
campus.

All these cases and the increasing rate of violence in HEIs have prompted this representation to
file this measure, which specifically calls for the creation of a Crime Prevention Committee
(CPC) in every HEI. Its tasks shall include the following: to formulate, in consultation, with the
school head, chief of police where the college or university is located, punong barangay, and
other security specialists as they deem fit, a Crime Prevention Strategy; to coordinate with


college/school principals or deans, as the case may be, in the maintenance of peace and order
within the school/college/university premises; and to recommend to the school/college/university
the conduct of seminars or trainings on the crime and drug prevention and control in
coordination with the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) regional office, local police
station or Department of the Interior and Local Government — Patrol 117, among others;

Moreover, this bill includes the head of the Psychology or Counselling Department of the
HEI or the guidance counsellor as CPC member since most. students who committed
crimes, especially those who committed suicide, were found to have never undergone
counselling nor have seen a guidance counsellor, In the United States, suicide is the
second leading cause of death among college students. In the Philippines, it has increased
tenfold over the last 20 years, according to the Philippine Psychiatric Association

Campus safety and security from both internal and external threats should be the paramount
concern of HEIs since they serve as guardians of students who are entrusted to them by
parents who pay a hefty sum for their children’s education and protection from danger.

In view of the foregoing reasons, immediate approval of this measure is earnestly sought.

ge Bt
ROMAN T. ROMULO

Representative
Lone District, Pasig City


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House iLL No.__2982

Introduced by: REP, ROMAN T, ROMULO

AN ACT
MANDATING HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS TO PROMOTE THE SAFETY AND
SECURITY OF ALL STUDENTS FROM INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL THREATS, THEREBY
CREATING A CRIME PREVENTION COMMITTEE

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as. "The Campus Safety and Security Act.”

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policies. It is the declared responsibility of the State to defend the right
of the youth to assistance, including proper care and nutrition, and special protection from all
forms of neglect, abuse, cruelty and exploitation, and other conditions prejudicial to their
development as provided under the Constitution. It is also hereby declared the policy of the
State to ensure access to quality education by ensuring the safety and security of students in all
institutions of higher learning and recognizing the role of the youth in nation building and in the
development of the country. Pursuant thereto,

Sec. 3. Scope. This Act shall apply to all Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), including state
universities and colleges (SUCs), local universities and colleges (LUCs), and private HE!s.

Sec. 4. Safety and Security Services. The HEI shall endeavor to deliver safety and security
services to students, which include the provision of safe and secure environment and the
conduct of programs and activities that promote safety and security from both internal and
external threats.

For this purpose, the following shall be provided by HEIs:

a) A safe, accessible and secure environment, buildings and facilities that shall comply with
government standards. Licensed and competent security personnel shall ensure the
safety and security of students and their belongings; and

b) An established mechanism for students to help in crime prevention, safety and security
of the concerned HEI.


Sec. 5. Creation of a Crime Prevention Committee. A Crime Prevention Committee (CPC)
shall be established in every HEI to formulate policies and strategies that shall help protect
students from both internal and external threats to their safety and security, such as theft,
robbery, rape and other forms of violence within and outside the area where the HE! is located

Sec. 6. Composition of the CPC. The CPC in every HE! shall be composed of the following:

A) The Vice President for community affairs or any other designee in the College or University,
whose office deals with campus security and safety, as presiding officer;

B) The Vice President for student affairs or any other designee in the College or University,
whose office deals with the welfare and discipline of students, as alternate presiding officer;

C) The Secretary of the University Student Council, as the committee secretary;

D) The University Student Council/Supreme Council President or Chairperson, as member;

E) The Class Presidents of the high school level and the College Presidents or Chairpersons of
the college level, and the Corps Commander of the Reserved Officers Training Corps (ROTC)
and the Citizens Army Training (CAT), as members;

F) The Head of Campus Police or Security Personnel, as member;

G) The head of the Psychology/Counselling Department or Guidance Counsellor, as member;
H) A Representative of student groups, as member; and

|) The President of the Parent-Teachers’ Association or its equivalent, as member.

Sec. 7. Duties and Responsibilities of the CPC. The CPC shall have the following duties and
responsibilities:

A) To formulate, in consultation, with the School Head, Chief of Police where the college or
university is located, Punong Barangay, and other security specialists as they deem fit, a Crime
Prevention Strategy. Such Crime Prevention Strategy shall include, but not be limited, to the
following:

1) A statement of current campus policies regarding procedures and facilities for
students and others to report criminal actions or other emergencies occurring on campus
and policies concerning the institution's response to such reports;

2) A statement of current policies concerning security and access to campus facilities,
including campus residences, and security considerations used in the maintenance of
campus facilities;

3) A statement of current policies concerning campus law enforcement including but not
limited to:

a) The enforcement authority of security personnel, including their working
relationship with national and local police agencies, and


b). Policies which encourage accurate and prompt reporting of all crimes to the
campus police and the appropriate police agencies;

4) A description of the type and frequency of programs designed to inform students and
employees about campus security procedures and practices and to encourage students and
employees to be responsible for their own security and security of others;

5) A description of programs designed to inform students and employees about the
prevention of crimes;

6) Statistics, which shall be posted in bulletin boards and other conspicuous areas in all
campuses of each HEI, on the following:

a) The current crime rate in the community where the HE! is located;

b) The occurrence on campus, during the most recent school year, and during
the two (2) preceding school years for which data are available, including, but
not limited to the following criminal offenses reported to campus security
authorities or local police agencies: homicide, murder, physical injuries, rape,
robbery, theft and sexual harassment; and

) The number of arrests for the following crimes occurring on campus: liquor
law violations; drug abuse violations; and possession of weapons;

7) A statement of policy concerning the monitoring and recoding through local police
agencies of criminal activity at off-campus student organizations which are recognized by the
institution and that are engaged in by students attending the institution, including those student
organizations with off campus housing facilities;

8) Statement of policy regarding the possession, use, and sale of alcoholic beverages
and enforcement of underage drinking laws and a statement of policy regarding the possession,
use and sale of illegal drugs and enforcement of drug laws and a description of any drug or
alcohol abuse education programs;

B. To formulate crime prevention programs for the implementation of the Committee;

C. To coordinate with college/school principals or deans, as the case may be, in the
maintenance of peace and order within the school/college/university premises;

D. To recommend to the school/college/university the conduct of seminars or trainings on the
crime and drug prevention and control in coordination with the National Police Commission
(NAPOLCOM) regional office, local police station or Department of the Interior and Local
Government (DILG) — Patrol 117;

E. To conduct intensive information drive on the Crime Prevention Strategy which includes its
semestral distribution of copies and orientation thereon; and

F. To submit to Commission on Higher Education (CHED), through its CHED Regional Offices
(CHEDROs), the composition of CPC and the Crime Prevention Strategy, as well as its program
of activities and projects for the Academic Year two (2) months after the closing of enrolment in


the First Semester and accomplishment report within two (2) months after finishing the second
semester or trimester of the academic year.

Sec. 8. Non-Interference in Peaceful Student Demonstrations. The CPC shall not, in any
way, interfere or prevent students from holding peaceful rallies, demonstrations and protest
actions if such were held in connection with the exercise of their constitutionally guaranteed
freedom of expression, except if violence erupts during the said mass actions.

Sec. 9. Duty of the College or University President. The Office of the College or University
President shall submit to the CHEDRO the following:

A) Size of the college or university;
B) Crime prevention strategy; and
C) Accomplishment Report of the Committee,

Sec. 10. Implementing Rules and Regulations. Within ninety (90) days upon the effectivity of
this Act, the CHED, in coordination with the Department of Education (DepED), Philippine
Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC), the Coordinating Council of Private
Educational Associations (COCOPEA), and the Association of Local Colleges and Universities
(ALCU), shall issue the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this
Act.

Sec, 11. Approval and Review of the Crime Prevention Strategy. The Crime Prevention
Strategy, after approval of the Board of Trustees/Regents, shall be submitted to the CHED and
shall be subject to its review. If found unsatisfactory by the CHED, taking into consideration the
circumstances of each college or university, it shall be returned to the Board for appropriate
action: Provided, That pending its review, the Plan shall be implemented by the college or
university concerned.

The Crime Prevention Strategy shall be subject to review or reassessment annually by
the Board or as often as required by the circumstances,

Sec. 12. Duties of the CHEDROs. The CHEDROs shall coordinate, supervise and monitor the
implementation of the crime prevention strategy, as approved, and projects of CPCs, jointly with
the National police Commission (NAPOLCOM) in the region.

The Office of Student Services of the CHED shall consolidate regional reports for
submission to the Office of the CHED Chairperson through the Office of the Executive Director.

Sec. 13. Administrative Liability. Any HEI, its Board of Trustees or Regents, and other
officers/persons responsible for the failure to comply with the provisions of this Act shall be
subject to administrative sanctions to be imposed by the CHED.

Sec. 14. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional or invalid,
the other sections or provisions not otherwise affected shall continue to be in full force and
effect.


SEC. 15. Repealing Clause. All laws, executive orders, decrees, instructions, rules and
regulations contrary to or inconsistent with any provision of this Act are hereby amended,
repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 17. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation

Approved,