DepEd strengthens school safety with nationwide active-threat drill on August 25
Nationwide school active-threat drill set for August 25 to test emergency response and evacuation.
The Department of Education (DepEd) will conduct a nationwide simultaneous active-threat safety drill on August 25, 2026, as part of efforts to strengthen schools’ readiness and emergency response to active human-induced threats. The exercise will be carried out in coordination with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
The drill will cover public and private elementary and high schools nationwide, focusing on immediate threat response, evacuation, and student-family reunification. The exercise was designed to address threats occurring inside school premises, going beyond traditional disaster drills such as earthquake procedures.
Beyond Traditional Disaster Drills
The nationwide exercise follows lessons from recent campus shooting incidents in Tacloban City and Zamboanga City. DepEd said the drill will test how school personnel and learners respond to an active human-induced threat and how emergency procedures are carried out.
DepEd Undersecretary Malcolm Garma said the agency hopes to institutionalize the practice of conducting drills to strengthen schools’ preparation, readiness, and awareness in responding immediately to ongoing threats.
“Isa pong bagay na natutunan namin at sana ma-institutionalize na po natin is really the need for the drills,” Garma said. “Importante ‘yung preparation and readiness and awareness ng school to react, immediately to react kung meron hong ganitong ongoing threat.”
The protocols were initially tested at Manila Science High School.
Senator Risa Hontiveros, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality, said schools now need protocols and drills specifically addressing active human-induced threats, rather than relying only on conventional earthquake procedures.
Reunification as Key Component
A major part of the exercise will be the reunification stage, where students, parents, medical responders, and police will gather at designated areas following an incident.
Garma said the procedure is intended to ensure that everyone involved knows where to go and where to assemble with responders after an emergency.
“Malaking bahagi po dun sa drills namin ‘yung tinatawag po namin reunification stage kung saan alam ho ng mga involved kung saan pupunta, saan mag-iipon-ipon together with the medical responders, the police enforcers, nasa isang lugar,” Garma said.
DepEd also emphasized that clear and visible safety procedures can serve as a practical guide during emergencies and as a potential deterrent to attackers.
PNP, Local Officials to Reinforce Coordination
The PNP will deploy personnel nationwide to strengthen coordination among school administrators, local government units, and barangay officials during the exercise.
PNP Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the drills will intensify coordination mechanisms among police, school authorities, and barangay officials, particularly during threat situations.
“These drills will intensify coordination mechanisms among the police, school authorities, and barangay officials, especially when there are threat situations,” Nartatez said.
He added that the PNP will help ensure that safety measures are properly implemented in schools.
DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara said the agency is adopting a “bayanihan approach” that includes collaboration with local governments. He also emphasized that school safety requires more than physical security, including prevention and recovery measures that ensure learners have trusted adults and proper support when they need help.
The nationwide simultaneous drill is set for August 25, with DepEd, PNP, DILG, school authorities, and local officials taking part in efforts to strengthen preparedness for active human-induced threats in schools.
