The Department of Education (DepEd) has been commended for issuing new guidelines to promote mental well-being in schools, reinforcing its commitment to fostering a supportive and healthy learning environment for students and teachers.

The Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) explained that DepEd is intensifying its efforts to enhance mental well-being in schools, aligning with the newly signed Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 12080, also known as the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act.

Signed by President Marcos on Dec. 9, the law mandates comprehensive mental health programs across basic education institutions to promote awareness, prevention, and proactive support for student well-being.

“The troubling statistics underscore the urgent need for updated and effective anti-bullying measures,” said EDCOM 2 Executive Director Karol Mark Yee.

Yee added that EDCOM 2 is collaborating with DepEd to revise the IRR of the Anti-Bullying Act of 2013 and implement the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act to “address the holistic well-being of students.”

“We are grateful for DepEd's response in addressing these issues,” Yee said. “Together with DepEd, we are dedicated to fostering safer and more supportive educational environments throughout the country,” he added.

Focus on students’ well-being

In its Year 2 Report, EDCOM 2 cited the 2018 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) results, which labeled the Philippines as the “bullying capital of the world.”

The results showed that 65 percent of Grade 10 students in the Philippines experience bullying a few times a month—the highest incidence among Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries.

Additionally, EDCOM 2 noted that, based on DepEd data, only 11 percent—or 38 out of 339—bullying cases were resolved between November 2022 and July 2024.

EDCOM 2 also highlighted significant mental health concerns among the youth, as reported by the National Center for Mental Health.

From 2019 to 2023, there were 33,779 crisis hotline calls from individuals aged 18 to 31, and an additional 5,371 from those aged 17 and under, with many expressing suicidal ideation and depression, according to EDCOM 2.

In response to these challenges, EDCOM 2 emphasized that RA 12080 requires the establishment of school-based mental health programs, including mental health screenings, crisis interventions, and referrals, with a particular focus on suicide prevention.

As part of this national strategy, EDCOM 2 explained that each public school will set up a Care Center to provide essential mental health services, including counseling and monitoring.

Moreover, a Mental Health and Well-Being Office will be established in every Schools Division Office (SDO) to oversee the effective administration of these initiatives, EDCOM 2 noted.

Recognizing the urgency to address these issues, EDCOM 2 said it has “actively advocated for ensuring that students are thriving in a safe home and school environment.”

Alongside the Mental Well-being Promotion Act, EDCOM 2 is also pushing for significant revisions to the IRR of the Anti-Bullying Act of 2013.

EDCOM 2 and DepEd are collaborating to ensure these amendments are in place by the 2025-2026 school year, aiming to strengthen student protections, standardize policy implementation across schools, and improve the monitoring and resolution of cases.

As one of EDCOM 2’s priority measures, the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act is authored by EDCOM 2 Co-Chairpersons Rep. Roman Romulo and Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, and co-authored by EDCOM 2 Commissioners Rep. Jude Acidre, Rep. Mark Go, Rep. Khalid Dimaporo, and Senator Joel Villanueva.

“Improving the performance of our learners should go hand in hand with upholding their safety and well-being,” Gatchalian said. “By implementing the school-based mental health program, we can make our schools safer and our learners more resilient, especially in times of crisis,” he added.

Romulo, meanwhile, noted that the law not only ensures that learners receive the support they need to thrive but also addresses the “glaring demand” for mental health professionals in the country.

“By strengthening and uplifting the profession of school counselors, we are taking a crucial step toward a more holistic and responsive education system that meets the needs of our learners,” he said.

EDCOM 2 is the congressional body created through RA 11899, tasked with conducting a comprehensive national assessment and evaluation of the Philippine education sector’s performance. It is also responsible for recommending legislation to address the country’s education crisis.

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