BUZZ BEAT MEDIA

The Department of Education (DepEd) has given its anti-bullying policy sharper teeth, empowering schools to prevent, address, and resolve bullying incidents with greater clarity and accountability, aligned with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s thrust to ensure safe learning environments.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara on Monday signed the Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 10627 (Anti-Bullying Act of 2013), which strengthen preventive measures, formalize school responsibilities, and establish a clear chain of accountability to ensure every complaint is acted on swiftly and fairly.

“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,” said Angara, who is the principal author of RA 10627 during his Senate days. 

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. 

The updated IRR includes school-wide prevention programs, early interventions, and a streamlined system for resolving complaints and appeals. The roles of school heads, teachers, parents and parent-substitutes, and even learners are now clearly laid out, ensuring that no case falls through the cracks.

“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 said.

Angara stressed that the new measures go beyond reacting to 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.

A key feature of the new framework is the introduction of the Learner Formation Officer, 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. Schools are also mandated to include anti-bullying procedures in their handbooks and visibly post them within school premises.

Citing evidence that bullying contributes to absenteeism, poor performance, and even school dropouts, Angara emphasized that curbing such behavior is a prerequisite for improving academic outcomes. “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.”

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.

The updated anti-bullying policy will be published in the Official Gazette and widely disseminated across DepEd’s regional and division offices in the coming days.

*All Photos from DepEd