ILOILO City — Thousands of students and school personnel across Western Visayas will test their readiness for potentially life-threatening attacks on Tuesday, August 25, as all public and private elementary and secondary schools in the region conduct a simultaneous active attack drill.
The unprecedented region-wide exercise will assess how schools respond to extreme security threats, including the speed and effectiveness of evacuation, emergency communication, protective actions and the reunification of students with their families.
Hernani Escullar Jr., information officer of the Department of Education (DepEd) Region 6, said participation in the drill is mandatory for public and private elementary and secondary schools.
“This is the call of the time – to ensure that schools are ready in extreme situations. The result of this activity will improve the preparedness of our schools,” he said.
The exercise comes amid heightened concern over violence in educational institutions and is intended to determine whether existing school contingency plans can effectively protect students and personnel during an actual attack.
The drill will be held simultaneously at exactly 9 a.m. under an August 12 directive from the DepEd Office of the Secretary.
“This Office directs the conduct of the Nationwide Simultaneous School Safety Drill for Active Attack Incidents on August 25, 2026 (Tuesday) at exactly 9 a.m. The Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service (DRRMS), in coordination with the regional and division offices, shall instruct all public and private elementary and secondary schools to conduct a drill based on their localized School Contingency Plan for Active Attack Incidents,” the memorandum stated.
DepEd said the exercise forms part of its response to the increasing occurrence of active shootings and other attacks affecting schools and communities worldwide.
“This is in view of the Department of Education’s commitment to ensuring safe, secure, and resilient learning environments, and in response to the increasing occurrence of active shooting and other active attack incidents affecting schools and communities worldwide, the Department continuously strengthens school preparedness through preventive planning, capacity building, and emergency response measures,” it added.
Ahead of the drill, schools have been directed to develop, review or update their contingency plans for active attack incidents and share the approved plans with their respective local government units, the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Parent-Teacher Associations.
Schools must also assess their security and logistical requirements, including double-locking mechanisms or other classroom security measures, family reunification areas, safe rooms, evacuation routes and emergency communication procedures.
They are also required to coordinate with the PNP, Bureau of Fire Protection, Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices, PTAs, LGUs and other emergency response partners. At least one representative from these stakeholders or appropriate emergency response agencies must serve as an external evaluator.
The evaluator will provide observations and recommendations that schools can use to strengthen their contingency plans and future safety drills. School Disaster Risk Reduction and Management teams will likewise be activated to carry out their assigned roles during the exercise.
Escullar stressed that the exercise should not be treated merely as another school requirement because preparedness could determine whether lives are saved during an actual emergency.
“This drill has the potential to save lives, which is why it is crucial for the entire school community — students, teachers, staff, and parents — to engage with and take the drill seriously,” said Escullar.
The initiative follows recent incidents of violence involving schools, including an incident in Tacloban City in June that placed students in danger. DepEd’s August 12 directive also came six days after a shooting incident at a school in Zamboanga City.
DepEd said the drills are intended to build a culture of safety and familiarize students and personnel with procedures they may need to follow when confronted with an actual threat.
At the same time, the department directed schools to ensure that the simulations themselves do not unnecessarily distress students.
“Schools are reminded that the conduct of the drill shall prioritize the safety and psychological well-being of learners, teaching and non-teaching personnel. Simulation activities shall be age-appropriate, trauma-informed, and focused on preparedness, protective actions, coordinated response, and post-incident recovery,” DepEd stated./PN