PCO Undersecretary Claire Castro said that the DepEd and DILG are considering deploying female barangay watchmen inside schools across the country. 

Palace Press Officer and Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro said the Department of Education (DepEd) and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) are studying a plan to place female barangay watchmen inside schools across the country. 

Castro discussed the proposal during a press briefing on Tuesday, September 22, 2026. She said she had spoken with DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla about the possible agreement between the DILG and DepEd. 

Under the proposed plan, female barangay watchmen may be assigned to schools to conduct visible patrols and help monitor the surroundings. Their presence is expected to provide an added layer of security and help keep an eye on students while they are inside school grounds. 

Castro explained that the proposal is still being studied by the two government agencies. A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) may be released as early as the following week if the plans move forward. 

The possible deployment comes as concerns over school safety continue to grow following a recent shooting incident at Banga National High School in South Cotabato.  

The proposed presence of barangay watchmen is intended to make security personnel more visible in schools. Female watchmen may also be considered for the role as part of the planned patrol system. 

However, the details of the proposal, including how many watchmen could be assigned, what areas they would cover, and what specific duties they would perform, have yet to be finalized. 

As of this writing, DepEd and DILG are expected to continue discussing the plan before reaching a formal agreement. More details may become available once the agencies complete their review and announce the next steps. 

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