To promote a safer learning environment for students nationwide, the Department of Education (DepEd) announced it is reinforcing its anti-bullying policies following the recording of 522 bullying cases in schools from 2022 to 2025.
In a statement issued on March 4, DepEd said its Learner Rights and Protection Division (LRPD) recorded 522 bullying cases through the TeleSafe Contact Center Helpline (TCCH) from November 2022 to February 2025.
LRPD data showed that physical altercations were the “most common form” of student conflict.
“We understand that the numbers we currently have don’t fully capture what’s actually happening on the ground,” DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara said. “That’s why the Department is not just responding to the reports we receive but also working to put prevention measures in place,” he added.
IRR signing
Recognizing the urgency of addressing bullying in schools, Angara signed the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act on March 4.
“Sa pagpapatupad ng batas na ito, titiyakin natin na hindi lang ito magiging isang polisiya kundi isang konkretong hakbang upang matiyak na may malalapitan ang bawat estudyante at guro sa oras ng pangangailangan (In implementing this law, we will ensure that it will not just be a policy but a concrete step to guarantee that every student and teacher will have someone to turn to in times of need),” Angara said.
“Our goal is not just to address these incidents but to instill positive behavior among our children,” he added.
Through the IRR, DepEd said it will prioritize the establishment of a Mental Health and Well-Being Office (MHWO) in high-burden areas.
Led by a Schools Division Counselor, the MHWO is a direct response to one of the Secretary’s 5-point Agenda: prioritizing learners’ well-being and creating an enabling learning environment.
Moreover, DepEd said it will also prioritize the placement of one school counselor or counselor associate in large schools, such as Rizal High School.
The goal is to build Care Centers and support the Department’s mental health program, easing the burden on school leaders.
Aligned with President Marcos’ vision of schools as "no-bully zones," DepEd said it is also working alongside EDCOM 2 to review and update the Anti-Bullying Act of 2013 to make the law more responsive to current school realities and ensure more effective enforcement.
To further strengthen these initiatives, DepEd said it will harmonize the revised IRR of the Anti-Bullying Act with the IRR of the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act.
DepEd also stated that it has coordinated with its Human Resources division to explore hiring Project Development Officer I (PDO I) positions, who can also serve as discipline officers to support schools in managing bullying and behavioral issues.
Support for learners
To combat the under-reporting of bullying cases, DepEd said it is incorporating Anti-Bullying and Rights-Based Education into the curriculum and will feature the Anti-Bullying Policy and Code of Conduct in the Learner’s Handbook.
Social and Behavior Change (SBC) materials will also be distributed nationwide to reinforce awareness and advocacy against bullying, DepEd added.
Meanwhile, DepEd said its LRPD is enhancing intervention mechanisms to ensure faster case resolution and better support systems for affected students.
DepEd also plans to eventually localize the TCCH to adapt to the language, context, and cultural approach of each region.
Bullying in schools
For school leaders like principal Richard Santos of Rizal High School (RHS), violence stemming from bullying is more than just a statistic—it is a pressing reality that plays out in school corridors, classrooms, and even online.
In RHS, one of the largest secondary schools in the country, Santos noted that the number of bullying cases is “staggering.”
In just one school year, RHS recorded a total of 382 bullying cases—48 of which resulted in physical injuries. The sheer scale of these incidents is compounded by the fact that RHS has only one guidance counselor for a student population of 12,584.
More than the numbers, Santos worries about the long-term impact of bullying on students, as he has seen children lose interest in school after being constantly teased or publicly shamed by classmates.
"Minsan, ang dahilan lang ay simpleng pang-aasar. Pero kung araw-araw na itong nangyayari, nawawalan na ng gana ang bata pumasok (Sometimes, the reason is just simple teasing. But if it happens every day, the child loses the motivation to go to school),” Santos said.
Santos pointed out that “bullies are often also victims of bullying."
His on-ground insight aligns with the 2022 findings of the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), which revealed that one in three students experienced weekly bullying.
While Santos welcomes the reforms initiated by DepEd as a positive development, he noted that policies alone will not solve the problem. He emphasized the need for a collective effort from students, parents, educators, and the community.
"Hindi lang ito laban ng paaralan (This is not just the school's fight),” he said. “Dapat ang mga magulang at komunidad kasama natin sa pagtiyak na ligtas ang bawat mag-aaral sa paaralan (Parents and the community should join us in ensuring that every student is safe at school),” he added.