NAGA CITY, Cebu — The Department of Education (DepEd) Schools Division of Cebu Province is reviewing Dumanjug's proposed total cellphone ban and other school security measures.

The school division wanted to determine whether the municipality’s rollout of stricter campus measures is in conformity with the existing national education policies.

Additionally, Malacañang also weighed in on the policy, saying Dumanjug Mayor Efren Guntrano "Gungun" Gica's intention to help students focus on their studies is good but questioned whether confiscating cellphones until the end of the school year is a reasonable penalty.

In a statement, Schools Division Superintendent Senen Priscillo Paulin said the division office has yet to receive the municipality's official executive order or policy document.

He said the Schools Division Office has formally requested a copy so it can properly evaluate whether the proposed measures conform with existing DepEd regulations before implementation concerns are addressed.

"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.

Paulin said public school district supervisors and school heads have also been instructed to coordinate closely with their respective local government units to ensure that policies affecting learners, school personnel, and school operations remain aligned with national laws and DepEd standards.

The division cited DepEd Order 006, s. 2026, which provides guidelines for maintaining safe, secure and motivating learning environments in schools.

The review follows Gica's implementation of a total cellphone ban in all public and private schools in Dumanjug beginning June 29.

Under the policy, any cellphone brought to school will be confiscated and returned only at the end of the school year.

"There are no phones allowed in school. Starting Monday, 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 strong-worded social media post.

The mayor said the measure aims to help students focus on reading, studying and interacting with their classmates instead of spending time on gadgets.

"We want our kids to read, study and interact with their classmates," Gica said.

Aside from the cellphone ban, the municipality plans to conduct mandatory inspections of students entering schools for firearms, bladed weapons, and other objects that could threaten campus safety.

Police officers, firefighters, disaster response personnel, barangay officials, and village watchmen have also been directed to reinforce security at school entrances.

DepEd Order 006, s. 2026 already allows routine bag inspections using authorized non-contact methods such as bag scanners, handheld metal detectors, electronic scanners and search sticks.

The order prohibits routine physical pat-downs or "stop and frisk" procedures and permits more extensive searches only when there is reasonable suspicion that prohibited items are being carried on school grounds.

The same order also prohibits learners and school personnel from using cellphones and other portable electronic devices during instructional periods, although exceptions are allowed for legitimate academic activities and emergency situations.

At a Palace briefing, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the government supports efforts to improve students' concentration but left the implementation of disciplinary measures to school authorities.

“His intention is good so that children can concentrate better on their studies,” Castro said.

“I just can’t say if the penalty is appropriate or reasonable because the ones who can implement it are the schools and their administrators. I don’t know if the penalty that will be given is right, helpful, or reasonable,” she added.

Dumanjug strengthened its school security measures following the June 22 shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, where two students allegedly opened fire inside classrooms, killing three students and injuring 20 others.

The incident has prompted several local government units to tighten campus security while ensuring that local initiatives remain consistent with existing DepEd policies.