Should Iloilo students keep their phones in class?

By Mariela Angella Oladive

Restricting cellphone use in schools has drawn mixed reactions in Iloilo, with parents, students, educators, and local officials supporting tighter rules during class hours but opposing an outright ban on bringing mobile phones to school.

The Department of Education (DepEd) Schools Division of Iloilo earlier said it is studying the possibility of restricting the use of portable electronic devices, including cellphones and tablets, particularly during class hours.

In a local radio interview, the division’s information officer, Leonil Salvilla, said the proposal was prompted by the growing number of cyberbullying cases involving students.

“Most of these bullying cases become more serious because of the availability and access of our children to digital portals and social media platforms,” Salvilla said.

Meanwhile, Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. said students’ phones should not be confiscated outright, noting that mobile devices remain important during emergencies.

“Not confiscate, just don’t use them during class. Why do children have cellphones? Number one, for emergencies—that is one of the considerations,” he said.

The governor, however, acknowledged the risks associated with unrestricted smartphone use.

“Of course, there’s a trade-off. There’s fake news, bullying and pornography there. What should be done is to limit some of the exposure to what they can access on the phone,” he said, adding that other countries have adopted stricter regulations on students’ cellphone use.

For Sheryl, a guardian of a grade school student, banning phones altogether is not the answer.

“With everything happening today, what if the teachers are not around during an emergency? There should only be limits, not a total ban. Nowadays, many bad things can happen. What if a student needs help or is in danger while at school? How can they immediately ask for assistance?” she told Daily Guardian.

She added that teachers should retain the discretion to allow cellphone use for legitimate classroom activities, such as research.

A Grade 7 student, Jeff, also opposed a blanket ban, saying students already understand that phones should not be used while classes are ongoing.

“It should not be banned because we don’t use it during class. Our teachers won’t allow that. We only use our phones after class or during recess,” he said.

An educator from Iloilo, who requested anonymity, said schools can achieve the same objective without prohibiting students from bringing their phones.

“In my class, students surrender their cellphones during class hours. They are placed in a box and returned after class. That’s better than banning them completely,” the teacher said.

The educator said the practice minimizes classroom distractions while allowing students to remain reachable before and after school.

Another parent, Randy, suggested allowing only basic keypad phones in schools instead of internet-enabled smartphones.

He said keypad phones would still allow students to contact their parents during emergencies while limiting access to social media, online games, and other digital platforms that could distract learners or expose them to harmful online content.

The debate over student cellphone use gained wider attention after the municipality of Dumanjug in Cebu implemented a total ban on mobile phones in public schools beginning June 29, amid heightened public discussion on school safety.

The Dumanjug policy followed the June 22, 2026, shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City that left three students dead and several others injured. Authorities identified the two suspects as minors, aged 14 and 15.

Under the policy announced by Dumanjug Mayor Efren Guntrano Gica, students are prohibited from bringing or using mobile phones on campus.

Phones brought to school will be confiscated and returned only at the end of the school year.

Parents who disagree with the policy have been advised to enroll their children in schools outside the municipality.

Gica also urged parents to reinforce their children’s education at home and assured families that measures would be taken to ensure students’ safety, including coordination with school officials as the policy is rolled out.

He added that the municipality plans to acquire school buses for students.

The DepEd-Iloilo has yet to announce whether the proposed restrictions will lead to a formal policy, but discussions have intensified nationwide as schools seek to balance student safety, digital access, and the potential risks posed by unrestricted smartphone use.