Cebu City will put stricter security measures in place in public schools following the deadly shooting at a school in Tacloban City.

Mayor Nestor Archival said the city will purchase metal detectors that will be used in schools to ensure that no weapons or dangerous items can enter campus premises.

Even before the city made the decision to purchase, some schools have requested security agencies to provide them with metal detectors like the Bulacao Community School.

The school is already using a metal detector at the gate.

The city government also wants to conduct active shooter drills in schools.

These and other school safety measures were ordered by the mayor to the new Officer-in-Charge of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), Col. Ricky Cabading Sumalde, who paid a courtesy call on the mayor.

Sumalde vowed to continue the duties and responsibilities of his predecessor, former CCPO Director, Col. George Ylanan, who was commended by the mayor for his good service during his tenure as the city’s top police official.

“Gagawin ko po ang lahat ng aking makakaya para kung hindi ko man malampasan ang mga accomplishment ng ating outgoing city director ay matatapatan ang mga accomplishment po niya,” Sumalde said.

Aside from security measures, the local government will also give importance to psychological intervention. The city said mental health experts have volunteered to assist in the event interventions will be necessary.

Meanwhile, the city said it will not ban mobile phones among students in schools as it will observe first the implementation in Dumanjug town, where a no-cellphone policy inside campuses started starting June 29, 2026.

Read story on Dumanjug ban: https://www.gmanetwork.com/regionaltv/news/114596/cebu-town-to-ban-phones-among-students-starting-june-29-2026/story/

Archival pointed out that it is a different situation in the city where communication is very important, especially during emergencies.

“Dinhi man gud sa syudad different man gud ni sa uban nga mga areas like sa probinsya unya ang mga ginikanan nga gusto ang ilang mga bata nga naa aron panahon sa emergency ila dayon ma-locate,” Archival said.