THE Department of Education (DepEd) has signed the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 10627, or the Anti-Bullying Act of 2013, in a bid to give the measure sharper teeth in preventing, addressing and resolving bullying incidents with greater clarity and accountability.
In a statement, Education Secretary Sonny Angara said that under the revised guidelines, all public and private basic education schools, including community learning centers and schools overseas under DepEd’s supervision, are now required to adopt and operationalize a standard anti-bullying policy.
“Ang eskuwela ay lugar ng pagkatuto, hindi ng pang-aapi. Wala dapat puwang ang bullying sa kahit anong sulok ng ating mga paaralan at lipunan,” he said.
(The school is a place for learning, not for oppression. Bullying should have no place in any corner of our schools and society.)
The IRR also includes school-wide prevention programs, early interventions, and a streamlined system for resolving complaints and appeals.
It also emphasizes the roles of school heads, teachers, parents and parent-substitutes, and even learners in ensuring that no case will be neglected.
It introduces the Learner Formation Officer (PDO I), a designated staff member who will serve as the first responder for bullying complaints, ensuring that incidents are immediately addressed and referred to appropriate personnel when needed.
“Kailangan may kultura ng malasakit at respeto. At para mangyari ito, binibigyan natin ng malinaw na kapangyarihan at tungkulin ang mga guro, magulang, at school heads,” he added.
(There must be a culture of compassion and respect. And to make this happen, we are giving clear authority and responsibility to teachers, parents, and school heads.)
Angara said the new regulations is not only reactive to bullying incidents, as it provided definitions for precursor behaviors, repeated patterns of intimidation, and cases that may not result in physical harm but lead to significant emotional distress or social exclusion, which often go unreported.
The policy mandates schools to include anti-bullying procedures in their handbooks and visibly post them within school premises.
Angara said addressing bullying is a prerequisite for improving academic outcomes since such acts usually result in absenteeism, poor performance, and even school dropouts.
“Walang bata ang uunlad kung araw-araw siyang takot pumasok sa klase. Kaya itong polisiya ay hindi lang para sa disiplina, kundi para rin sa kalidad ng edukasyon,” he said.
(No child can thrive if they are afraid to go to class every day. That’s why this policy is not just about discipline -- it’s also about the quality of education.)
“The Department has also committed to tracking the functionality of Child Protection Committees in schools and providing technical assistance to ensure that all support systems are in place,” he added. (TPM/SunStar Philippines)