BUZZ BEAT MEDIA

Principal Richard Santos of Rizal High School (RHS) spends most of his days navigating the challenges of leading one of the largest secondary schools in the country. But some days stand out for the wrong reasons.

“Kagagaling ko lang sa fiscal,” he shared, referencing a recent violence case involving five RHS students.

For Principal Santos, violence that stemmed from bullying is more than a statistic—it is a pressing reality that plays out in school corridors, classrooms, and even online. The numbers are staggering: in just one school year, RHS recorded a total of 382 bullying cases, with 48 of them resulting in physical injuries. The sheer scale of these incidents is compounded by the fact that RHS has only one guidance counselor to cater to a student population of 12,584.

More than the numbers, Principal Santos worries about the long-term impact of bullying on students. He has seen children lose interest in school after being constantly teased or publicly shamed by classmates. “Minsan, ang dahilan lang ay simpleng pang-aasar. Pero kung araw-araw na itong nangyayari, nawawalan na ng gana ang bata pumasok,” he explained.

Principal Santos is quick to point out that “bullies are often also victims of bullying.” His on-ground insight aligns with the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) findings in 2022, which revealed that one in three students experienced weekly bullying.

Strengthening Policies

Recognizing the urgency of the problem, Education Secretary Sonny Angara signed the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act on Tuesday, March 4.

“Sa pagpapatupad ng batas na ito, titiyakin natin na hindi lang ito magiging isang polisiya kundi isang konkretong hakbang upang matiyak na may malalapitan ang bawat estudyante at guro sa oras ng pangangailangan,” Secretary Angara said.

Through the IRR, the Department of Education (DepEd) will prioritize the establishment of a Mental Health and Well-Being Office (MHWO) in high-burden areas. Led by a Schools Division Counselor, the MHWO is a direct answer to one of the Secretary’s 5-point Agenda: prioritizing learners’ well-being and creating an enabling learning environment. 

In addition, the agency will prioritize the placement of one school counselor or school counselor associate in large schools like Rizal High School. The goal is to build Care Centers and support the Department’s mental health program, taking some pressure off school leaders like Principal Santos.

Aligned with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s vision of schools as “no-bully zones,” DepEd is also working alongside the EDCOM 2 to review and update the Anti-Bullying Act of 2013 to make the law more responsive to current school realities and ensure more effective enforcement.

To further strengthen these initiatives, DepEd will harmonize the revised IRR of the Anti-Bullying Act IRR with the IRR of the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act.

The agency has also coordinated with its Human Resources division to explore the hiring of Project Development Officer I (PDO I) positions, who can also serve as discipline officers to support schools in managing bullying and behavioral issues.

Expanding Support for Learners

To address the under-reporting of bullying cases, DepEd is integrating Anti-Bullying and Rights-Based Education into the curriculum and will include the Anti-Bullying Policy and Code of Conduct in the Learner’s Handbook. Social and Behavior Change (SBC) materials will also be distributed nationwide to reinforce awareness and advocacy against bullying.

The agency’s Learner Rights and Protection Division (LRPD) is also enhancing intervention mechanisms, ensuring faster case resolution and better support systems for affected students. The Department will eventually localize the TeleSafe Contact Center Helpline (TCCH) to adapt to the language, context, and cultural approach of each region.

From November 2022 to February 2025, LRPD recorded 522 bullying cases through the TCCH, with physical altercations being the most common form of conflict among students.

“We understand that the numbers we currently have don’t fully capture what’s actually happening on the ground. That’s why the Department is not just responding to the reports we receive but also working to put prevention measures in place,” Secretary Angara stated.

“Our goal is not just to address these incidents but to instill positive behavior among our children,” he added.

Community Effort

For Principal Santos, these reforms are a welcome development. But he knows that policies alone will not solve the problem, citing the need for collective effort from students, parents, educators, and the community.

“Hindi lang ito laban ng paaralan,” he said. “Dapat ang mga magulang at komunidad kasama natin sa pagtiyak na ligtas ang bawat mag-aaral sa paaralan.”

*All Photos from DepEd