The Department of Education (DepEd) announced on Tuesday that the “alarming” increase in bullying incidents has become a national issue, prompting the department to collaborate with various government agencies and organizations.
“To effectively tackle bullying, we must engage not only within the schools but also in the families and communities that our learners belong to,” said Education Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” M. Angara in a statement.
“This is not merely a school concern; it is a national priority that requires a comprehensive response from both the government and society,” he further added.
The information shared during the largest Executive Committee (Execom) gathering convened by the department indicated that the number of bullying cases in the National Capital Region (NCR) escalated from 2,268 cases in the previous School Year (SY) to 2,500 in SY 2024-2025.
On April 4, footage showing students from Bagong Silangan High School (BSHS) in Quezon City pulling another student’s hair went viral on social media.
The official statement from BSHS on its Facebook page condemned the “unacceptable behavior” captured on video and mentioned that the incident had already been “closed and addressed.”
“Bagong Silangan High School upholds a zero-tolerance stance toward bullying and harassment, as well as other detrimental behaviors,” it stated.
“We unequivocally condemn these actions and assure the public that all misconduct reports are thoroughly investigated and addressed,” BSHS affirmed.
To further bolster students’ safety against bullying, the Philippine National Police (PNP) vowed to intervene in bullying situations that breach legal boundaries.
The DepEd stated that closed-circuit televisions (CCTVs) will be implemented outside “large urban and high-risk schools,” along with increased police presence that will strictly adhere to the department’s policy on data privacy and peaceful zones.
In addition, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), supported by the Department of Justice (DOJ), has proposed activating the Comprehensive Barangay Juvenile Intervention Program (CBJIP), which seeks to deter bullying through diversion and rehabilitation efforts.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is also dedicated to examining bullying reports via its field offices and establishing a “Parent Effectiveness Office” to “educate families and tackle root issues such as domestic problems that may affect learner behavior.”
Apart from joint efforts from government entities, the DepEd will receive assistance from experts at the University of the Philippines College of Education and Ateneo de Manila University in refining its Values Education and Good Manners and Right Conduct (GMRC) curriculum.
Proposed improvements include integrated socio-emotional learning, emotional management, and conflict resolution techniques.
Currently, the DepEd is formulating a Default Policy on School Safety and Security, which encompasses guidelines for incident reporting, penalties, psychological first aid, and financial support for victims of school-related incidents.
“We must respond swiftly and resolutely,” Mr. Angara stated. “The safety of our learners cannot rely on perfect circumstances. What we require immediately is urgency, unity, and sustained effort.” – Almira Louise S. Martinez
