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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider DepEd declares bullying a national concern, not just a school issue

DepEd declares bullying a national concern, not just a school issue

Angara convenes the largest executive committee to address bullying

Published Apr 15, 2025 02:28 pm

Emphasizing that bullying is no longer just a school issue but a widespread societal concern, the Department of Education (DepEd) has declared it a national priority.

PHOTO 1.jpg
(Photo from DepEd)

“This is not just a school matter—it is a national priority that demands a whole-of-government, whole-of-society response,” said DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara, as he convened the largest Executive Committee (Execom) meeting in DepEd's history.

Held on April 14, the meeting brought together key government agencies, civil society organizations, and academic experts to coordinate a response to the alarming rise in bullying incidents in schools.

DepEd said the meeting was convened following a directive from President Marcos, who had earlier expressed deep concern over the surge in reported bullying cases nationwide.

READ:

https://mb.com.ph/2025/4/4/bullying-incident-goes-viral

“To effectively combat bullying, we need to work not just inside the schools but also in the households and communities where our learners come from,” Angara said.

Stronger approach

DepEd is calling for a comprehensive strategy to combat bullying, urging government agencies, local communities, and parents to join forces in addressing this pervasive problem.

Based on data presented during the meeting, the DepEd National Capital Region (NCR) recorded 2,500 cases of bullying in School Year (SY) 2024–2025, up from 2,268 in the previous year.

DepEd’s declaration marks a significant shift in how bullying is perceived, underlining its harmful impact on students' mental health and overall well-being, and highlighting the need for collective action to create safer environments for young people across the country.

Immediate measures

DepEd said the Philippine National Police (PNP) pledged to intervene in bullying cases that violate the law, as one of the immediate actions agreed upon.

CCTVs will be installed and police presence will be boosted outside major urban and high-risk schools, while strictly adhering to DepEd’s data privacy and zones of peace policies.

DepEd added that the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) pledged to investigate reported cases through its field offices and create a Parent Effectiveness Office.

This office will educate families and address root causes—such as domestic issues—that may influence student behavior, DepEd noted.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) suggested launching the Comprehensive Barangay Juvenile Intervention Program (CBJIP) to reduce bullying in communities through diversion and rehabilitation efforts beyond school premises.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) endorsed the proposal, emphasizing that early interventions can prevent young learners from entering the juvenile delinquency system.

Enhancing the curriculum

Experts from the University of the Philippines College of Education and Ateneo de Manila University will collaborate with DepEd to enhance its Values Education and Good Manners and Right Conduct (GMRC) curriculum.

The planned improvements will include socio-emotional learning, emotional regulation, and conflict management. UNICEF and Save the Children Philippines also contributed data and internationally recognized programs to strengthen the initiative.

Proposed reforms include embedding anti-bullying policies within the Values Education and GMRC curricula, and improving the Drop-Out Reduction Program (DORP) to better support Children-at-Risk and Children in Conflict with the Law.

Policy on school safety and security

DepEd is also drafting a Default Policy on School Safety and Security.

“The baseline policy will cover physical safety measures, clear procedures for incident reporting, sanctions for offenders, provision of psychological first aid, and financial assistance for victims of school-related incidents,” DepEd explained.

READ:

https://mb.com.ph/2025/4/8/dep-ed-urges-students-witnesses-to-report-school-bullying

In the long term, DepEd plans to create a comprehensive School Operations Manual to unify all policies related to safety and discipline.

Stronger partnerships

To enhance implementation efforts, DepEd said it will work with various government agencies and stakeholders through strategic partnerships.

The initiative includes deploying barangay tanods and police officers through the DILG and PNP, potentially assigning TUPAD beneficiaries as school watchmen under the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and seeking support from the Department of Health (DOH) and medical associations for counseling and psychological first aid.

DepEd also plans to involve parents, alumni volunteers, and student leaders in monitoring and implementing school safety initiatives.

Collaboration with local government units will be strengthened by activating local peace and order councils and establishing regional and division-level helplines in partnership with the National Center for Mental Health, DepEd added.

READ:

https://mb.com.ph/2025/4/8/mental-health-programs-amid-rising-bullying-concerns

The inter-agency meeting concluded with a unified commitment to swiftly implement interventions while paving the way for lasting, transformative policies to make every school a safe, inclusive, and nurturing space for Filipino learners.

“We must act quickly and decisively,” Angara said. “The safety of our learners cannot wait for perfect conditions. What we need now is urgency, unity, and sustained action.”

RELATED STORY:

https://mb.com.ph/2025/4/12/no-place-for-bullying

Related Tags

bullying controversy DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara Bullying in the Philippines DEPED President Marcos
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