House OKs bill setting September as 'National Bullying Awareness and Prevention Month'


At a glance

  • A measure designating the month of September each year as "National Bullying Awareness and Prevention Month" has been unanimously approved by the House of Representatives.


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A measure designating the month of September each year as "National Bullying Awareness and Prevention Month" has been unanimously approved by the House of Representatives.

Gaining 222 affirmative votes during plenary session Tuesday, Jan. 28 was House Bill (HB) No.11198 or the proposed "National Bullying Awareness and Prevention Month Act".

The bill aims to raise public awareness about bullying prevention as well as the importance of protecting children and youth from abuse, cruelty, exploitation, and other harmful conditions, with the goal of promoting safe environments and ensuring access to quality education for all.

HB No.11198 states that, in the observance of National Bullying Awareness and Prevention Month, an annual program of activities shall be prepared and implemented by the Department of Education (DepEd), in collaboration with the National Youth Commission (NYC) and the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC). 

The DepEd, NYC, and CWC are authorized to request assistance from other government departments, bureaus, offices, agencies, or instrumentalities, including government-owned or -controlled corporations, as necessary to effectively carry out the objectives of this Act.

The DepEd shall oversee awareness-raising activities on bullying prevention, as well as the prevention other forms of abuse, cruelty, and lexploitation against children, in all public and private elementary and high schools nationwide.

"The Philippine Information Agency (PIA) shall, in collaboration with the DepEd, NYC, and CWC, ensure the effective dissemination of information regarding this Act," read HB No.11198.

Meanwhile, all local government units (LGUs), private organizations, civil society groups, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and people's organizations are encouraged to observe National Bullying Awareness and Prevention Month through simple ceremonies and actively participate in related activities,

"Within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act, the DepEd shall, in consultation with the NYC, CWC, PIA, and other concerned agencies, issue the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act," it further read. 

It says that all laws, decrees, orders, rules, and regulations or parts thereof which are

inconsistent with the provisions of the proposed Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.

 

The Act shall take effect 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.