Manila: The Department of Education (DepEd) recently clarified that over 2,000 security guards are actively holding permanent positions in public schools across the country. This announcement came amid rising concerns over school safety following several violent incidents within educational institutions.
According to Philippines News Agency, Education Secretary Sonny Angara has shown interest in requesting more plantilla items for security guards from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM). This initiative is a response to historical reductions in school-level security positions due to past rationalization programs that have affected the current staffing baseline.
The DepEd has stated that, contrary to previous reports citing only 200 plantilla items, there are actually 2,494 authorized permanent security positions as per the Department of Budget and Management - Government Manpower Information System (DBM-GMIS) data as of April 24. Out of these, 2,242 positions are filled, leaving 252 vacancies.
The agency emphasized its commitment to working closely with the DBM to secure necessary funding and authorization for additional security personnel. This effort aims to ensure a safe learning environment for all students and staff nationwide. Furthermore, the DepEd is coordinating with local government units and the Philippine National Police to implement comprehensive safety measures across approximately 48,000 public schools.
