DepEd Cebu to review Dumanjug’s proposed total phone ban in schools
Proposed school inspection policy will also be looked into by DepEd-7
LAPU-LAPU CITY, Cebu — The Department of Education (DepEd) Schools Division of Cebu Province will evaluate Dumanjug Mayor Gungun Gica’s proposed school security measures, including a total cellphone ban and mandatory student inspections, to determine whether they comply with national education policies.
The review comes as local governments strengthen campus security following the fatal school shooting in Tacloban City, while DepEd emphasizes that all local initiatives must remain consistent with existing guidelines.
READ: No inspection, no entry: Dumanjug bans cellphones in schools starting June 25
Proposal to be evaluated
In a statement released to the media on June 29, 2026, Schools Division Superintendent Senen Priscillo Paulin said the division office had not yet received the official policy document from the Dumanjug municipal government.
He said the proposal must first undergo review to determine whether its provisions conform with current DepEd regulations before implementation issues could be assessed.
“The Schools Division Office has formally requested a copy of the pertinent Executive Order or official issuance for proper review and evaluation,” the statement read.
Public Schools district supervisors and school heads had been instructed to coordinate closely with their respective local government units regarding proposed policies affecting schools, the statement added.
READ: Malacañang on Dumanjug’s cellphone ban: Penalty may be unreasonable
The directive aims to ensure that local measures involving learners, school personnel, and educational operations remain aligned with national laws and DepEd standards.
The schools division specifically cited DepEd Order No. 006, s. 2026, which set guidelines for maintaining safe, secure, and motivating learning environments in schools.
Gica’s proposed measures
The review follows Gica’s announcement of a total cellphone ban in all schools in Dumanjug starting June 29, 2026.
The mayor said the policy seeks to encourage students to focus on their studies while promoting greater interaction with classmates.
READ: Tacloban City school shooting: Latest updates
“If a student brings a phone, it will be confiscated and only returned at the end of the school year. If you do not wish to follow this policy, you have the option to transfer your children to another municipality,” Gica said in a social media post.
Apart from the cellphone prohibition, Gica also proposed mandatory inspections for students entering schools across the municipality.
Under the planned policy, school personnel and local authorities will inspect learners for firearms, bladed weapons, and other objects that could pose safety risks.
Authorities were also instructed to confiscate prohibited weapons or dangerous items discovered during inspections.
READ: School shooting sparks talks on tighter social media use for minors
The proposed inspections will apply to both public and private schools in Dumanjug.
Gica, likewise, directed the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, police officers, firefighters, barangay officials, and village watchmen to reinforce school security.
He said personnel would immediately begin guarding school entrances and conducting inspections.
Existing DepEd guidelines
DepEd Order No. 006, s. 2026, already outlined several school security measures, including routine bag inspections, procedures for confiscating prohibited items, and restrictions on portable electronic devices during instructional hours.
The order requires learners, school personnel, and visitors to submit bags for inspection before entering school premises to help maintain campus security.
It states that inspections must only use authorized non-contact methods, including full-body electronic scanners, bag scanners, handheld metal detectors, or search sticks.
The order expressly prohibits “stop and frisk” procedures and physical pat-downs as part of routine school security protocols.
A more extensive bag search may only be conducted when there is reasonable suspicion that a person is carrying prohibited items inside school grounds.
READ: DepEd helps Tacloban school heal trauma
Items prohibited under the order include firearms, daggers, brass knuckles, explosives, incendiary devices, hazardous chemicals, and illegal substances.
The same order also prohibits learners and school personnel from using cellphones and other portable electronic devices during instructional periods to reduce distractions and preserve the learning environment.
However, exceptions may be granted for legitimate academic activities, including access to digital learning resources and authorized online collaboration.
The policy also allows cellphone use during emergencies, such as disasters, medical incidents, or other situations requiring immediate communication.
Strengthening school safety
The heightened security initiatives follow the June 22 shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, where two students allegedly opened fire inside classrooms.
The attack claimed the lives of three students and left 20 others injured, including 15 who sustained gunshot wounds.
The incident prompted several local government units to introduce or strengthen school safety measures to help prevent similar attacks.
As it reviews Dumanjug’s proposal, the Schools Division Office said it remained committed to working with local governments and other stakeholders to ensure that security measures protect learners while complying with DepEd policies.
“The Schools Division Office recognizes the earnest efforts of local government units in promoting public safety and maintaining secure learning environments, particularly in light of recent incidents that have raised concerns regarding the safety of learners and school personnel.”
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