The Senate of the Philippines began hearings on the proposed School Safety Act on July 9, 2026, focusing on addressing violence, bullying, and other threats in and around schools.

The hearings aim to tackle recent incidents such as the June 8 drowning of student-athletes Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili during a team-building activity in Aurora, and the June 22 fatal school shooting in Tacloban City, which left three students dead and 20 injured.

Senator Bam Aquino, chairman of the Senate committee on basic education, leads the joint hearing with multiple committees including justice and human rights, and finance.The discussions will explore measures to enhance school safety, prevent bullying, and address systemic issues contributing to violence.The hearing is part of broader efforts to ensure student safety and hold institutions accountable for security lapses.The event was livestreamed for public access, highlighting the importance of transparency and community engagement in policy-making.This initiative reflects the Senate's commitment to addressing pressing social issues through legislative action.