THE DEPARTMENT of Education (DepEd) Schools Division of Davao City urged parents and guardians to buy transparent school bags for their children as a preventive security measure but stressed that the policy is not mandatory.
Reynante Solitario, Davao City Schools Division superintendent, told TIMES that this is part of their continuing efforts to strengthen the safety of learners.
“We have been actively encouraging parents and guardians to provide transparent bags for their children,” Solitario said in a Messenger interview on Thursday.
The official is also seeking the understanding and cooperation of the parents and guardians.
Division Memorandum SGOD-2026-496 dated Sept. 16 cited “recent incidents of violence involving schools and learners in different parts of the country” and stressed the importance of protecting the safety, security, and welfare of learners in the Davao Region.
The memorandum, which follows Regional Memorandum ESSD-2026-287 on the same subject, says parents and guardians are encouraged to consider clear bags “where practicable” and according to their own capacity and preference.
But DepEd said the use of clear bags “shall not be construed as a mandatory requirement or an obligation.” School heads were urged to communicate this appropriately and avoid imposing any financial burden on learners and their families.
On Sept. 18, another shooting took place in a Grade 9 classroom at Banga National High School in South Cotabato, claiming the lives of three students, including the shooter, and wounding six others.
It was the third deadly school shooting in the country since June, following incidents in Tacloban and Zamboanga.
The suspect used a firearm owned by his father, an employee of DepEd XI, who has since been dismissed.
After the Aug. 18 shooting at Ateneo de Zamboanga University, some private schools in Davao City began requiring transparent bags, and police welcomed the move as a way to speed up entrance inspections.
DepEd XI said private schools may adopt the measure, but the government must also weigh the economic side.
For Davao City, Solitario said the division is coordinating closely with the Public Safety and Security Office.
“Our school heads are being reminded to coordinate with the PSSO and other security partners, particularly on security protocols, monitoring, and the implementation of measures appropriate to each school’s situation,” he stressed.
