The Department of Education (DepEd) has announced plans to revise the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the Anti-Bullying Act of 2013, aiming to strengthen efforts against bullying in public schools across the Philippines. DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara emphasized the need for more vigilant monitoring of bullying incidents, noting that the law, which he helped craft over a decade ago while in the Senate, has not been fully implemented in all schools.
Angara highlighted that even within the DepEd, not all schools have adopted the anti-bullying policy. To address this, the department will collaborate with the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II) to revise the IRR, with the goal of completing the revisions before the 2025-2026 academic year begins. The review aims to ensure compliance with the existing law and enhance the capacity of the Learner Protection Office, established in 2022, to better support victims of bullying.
Additionally, DepEd plans to increase the number of guidance counselor positions to provide more resources for addressing bullying-related challenges. Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has expressed support for the review, stating that it will bolster anti-bullying programs and tackle the rising incidents of bullying in schools. He referenced the 2022 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), which revealed that one in three Filipino students experiences bullying at least once a week, marking the highest rate among OECD countries in both the 2018 and 2022 assessments.
Gatchalian also pointed out issues such as uneven law enforcement, inconsistent school practices, and a shortage of trained personnel. A report from the 2nd Congressional Commission on Education indicated that 10,018 public schools still lack localized anti-bullying policies. Furthermore, he noted that the implementation of the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act (Republic Act No. 12080) could aid in combating bullying by mandating a School-Based Mental Health Program.