CEBU CITY — Cebu City has only seven guidance counselors serving its 107 public elementary and high schools, the City Council’s Committee on Public Order and Safety revealed on Saturday.

South District Councilor Paul Labra said the shortage came to light during consultations among city officials, educators, police officers, and mental health experts reviewing school safety following the 22 June tragedy in Tacloban City that left three students dead and 20 others injured.

“As of now, what we know is that there are fewer than 10 employed DepEd guidance counselors. The exact number is only seven,” Labra said.

To address the shortage, several teachers have been assigned to perform the duties of guidance counselors. However, Labra acknowledged that they cannot provide the same level of intervention as licensed guidance counselors, psychologists or psychometricians.

“Some teachers also act as guidance counselors in their schools, but the programs are not as extensive as those handled by designated guidance counselors. We are really lacking,” he said.

During the consultations, officials learned that many students’ behavioral and mental health concerns remain unaddressed because schools lack qualified mental health professionals.

“We found out that aside from strengthening school security infrastructure, the problem also lies with children experiencing mental health concerns. Some students already carry struggles from home, but because we lack guidance counselors, these concerns go unaddressed and schools cannot fully implement intervention programs,” Labra said.

He stressed that preventing school violence requires more than installing metal detectors or increasing police visibility.

According to Labra, the shortage of guidance counselors is largely due to government hiring requirements and an uncompetitive compensation package.