JCA fortifies campus security via bag checks
JCA fortifies campus security via bag checks
| Princess Jaime De Leon
In a proactive move to reinforce campus safety, JCSGO Christian Academy (JCA) officially enforced a mandatory bag search for all students entering the premises on school weeks starting June 29.
Students were required to present their backpacks for a brief check, followed by a secondary screening using a security wand before proceeding to classes.
The objective of the sudden policy is to ensure a safe learning environment by intercepting prohibited items, such as sharp objects and firearms. It also aims to reinforce security and bring peace of mind to the institution.
“Kailangan ito para malaman ‘yung safety ng mga bata, pati na rin ang taga-faculty. Gusto lang po natin na makaiwas sa gulo at maging panatag ang lahat sa loob ng eskwelahan,” Jefril Avis, a school guard stationed at the entrance gate, explained.
This new implementation adds to JCA’s campus security procedures during student entry hours.
School authorities mentioned that the main trigger for the decision was a rise in external incidents of school violence. They emphasized that the measure was implemented to enhance the security and safety at the school premises.
“We’re just preventing those things from happening in our campus, kaya nagkakaroon tayo ng bag search—that’s for safety purposes,” Ms. Lourdes Borremeo, the school discipline prefect, shared.
As the entry procedure becomes a regular part of the school week, campus security operations have adjusted to handle the morning queues without delaying classes.
Students were informed of the change in their classrooms, and announcements were disseminated to parents through email.
“At first, we were a bit worried about being late for our first period because of the lines,” shared grade 9 student Kurtis Sitaldas, who experienced the new protocol firsthand.
“But the security guards are really fast, and honestly, knowing that everyone is being checked makes us feel a lot safer studying and hanging out on campus,” she added.
Another student, Princess Eljay Gatmaitan, seconded this statement, saying that the student body quickly adapted to the morning adjustments.
She noted that the additional time spent during checkings became manageable.
“We just had to leave the house a little earlier than usual,” she said. “It’s better to be safe, especially with everything happening in other schools nowadays.”
The administration remains focused on evaluating the measure’s effectiveness as a long-term safety policy.