CEBU CITY – A town in southwest Cebu province has taken a harder stance against bullying.

The local government unit of Pinamungajan has crafted an ordinance that seeks to protect residents from bullying in public places and online platforms.

The Pinamungajan Anti-Bullying and Cyberbullying Policy Ordinance of 2026 approved on May 25 and published recently penalizes physical assault or intimidation, repeated verbal abuse, ridicule, humiliation, or threats, public shaming, discriminatory remarks, and harassment based on gender, appearance, disability, religion, ethnicity, or social status.

In digital media platforms, posting, sharing, uploading, or distributing humiliating, false, threatening, or malicious content intended to shame, harass, or damage another person’s reputation is prohibited.

Other prohibited acts are the unauthorized sharing of private photos, videos, screenshots, or personal information to ridicule or harass someone; encouraging, assisting, or promoting acts of cyberbullying; retaliating against individuals who report bullying incidents; and any similar behavior that causes emotional, psychological, physical, or reputational harm to another person.

“The municipality recognizes that bullying and cyberbullying adversely affect the dignity, safety, emotional well-being, academic performance, mental wellness, and social development of individuals, especially minors and students,” the ordinance authored by Councilors Lorenzo Niñal and Julius Erwin Alpas said.

Schools and barangays were ordered to strengthen the implementation of the measure.

Under the ordinance, schools are required to establish reporting and disciplinary procedures, assign personnel to handle complaints, conduct awareness and education programs, and provide counseling and support to victims and even offenders in coordination with parents, barangays, social workers, police, and other concerned agencies.

Barangays were tasked to help prevent and monitor bullying incidents, conduct awareness campaigns, facilitate mediation for minor cases, and refer serious incidents to proper authorities.

First-time offenders will be given a written warning and will be made to undergo mandatory counseling or attend anti-bullying seminars and render community service of at least eight hours.

For the second offense, a fine of P1,000 to P2,000 will be imposed, along with community service and mandatory participation in behavioral intervention programs.

For the third and subsequent offenses, the fine will be P2,500 and the offender must participate in community service of at least 32 hours.

Pinamungajan is a second-class municipality 56 kilometers south of Cebu City.