DepEd to amend anti-bullying IRR

By Stephanie Sevillano, Philippine News Agency

FILE: Barangay councilor Rogelio Rebusi (left) signals motorists to stop as two students and their mother cross the pedestrian lane in front of Fernando Ma. Guerrero Elementary School on Pedro Gil Street, Paco, Manila on Tuesday (Sept. 27, 2022). (PNA photo by Alfred Frias)

MANILA – The Department of Education (DepEd) is set to revise the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the Anti-Bullying Act of 2013 to intensify efforts against bullying incidents.

In a statement Friday, DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara said the enacted measure has not been fully implemented in all public schools nationwide.

“Kailangan na mas mabusisi at masinop tayo sa pagbantay ng mga bullying incidents. Mahigit isang dekada na nung pinangunahan natin ang pagbuo ng batas na ito sa Senado (We need to be keen and cautious in monitoring bullying incidents. It’s been over a decade since we led the crafting of this law in the Senate),” he said.

“Ngayong nasa DepEd na tayo, nakita kong hindi pa rin lahat ng paaralan ay may (now that we are already in the DepEd, I saw that not all schools have this) anti-bullying policy.”

The DepEd is set to work with the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II) in the revision of the IRR, which is expected to be completed before the start of the academic year 2025-2026.

Angara said the IRR review also aims to ensure compliance with the existing law.

“We have strengthened the learner protection office to increase capacity and ensure more people are available to help victims,” he said in an earlier Viber message.

The Learner Rights and Protection Office, established in 2022, serves as a platform for reports of bullying and other forms of violence.

Angara said they are also prioritizing providing additional guidance counselor positions to ensure adequate help in addressing challenges related to bullying.

Gatchalian supports review

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian backed the DepEd’s decision to review the IRR of the Anti-Bullying Act, noting this will strengthen anti-bullying programs and address rising incidents in schools.

“The proposed revisions should pave the way for stronger anti-bullying programs,” he said in a statement, citing the 2022 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), which showed that one in three Filipino learners experience bullying at least once a week.

The Philippines had the highest reported bullying rates among Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries in both the 2018 and 2022 PISA assessments.

Gatchalian also emphasized the need to address uneven law enforcement, inconsistent school practices, and the lack of trained personnel.

According to the 2nd Congressional Commission on Education report, 10,018 public schools still lack localized anti-bullying policies.

Gatchalian also noted that implementation of the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act (Republic Act No. 12080) would help combat bullying by mandating a School-Based Mental Health Program. (with reports from Wilnard Bacelonia/PNA)