“The Anti-Bullying Act is part of our child protection policy,” Luistro said in his address during the signing ceremony on Dec. 13 at Bulwagan ng Katarungan DepEd Complex on Meralco Avenue, Pasig City.Luistro said Anti-Bullying Acts include cyber-bullying aside from inflicting physical harm to the child and utterance of slanderous statement or accusation which causes the victim undue emotional distress such as the use of profanities, name-calling and commenting negatively on the victims’ looks, clothes and body.
Bullying would also include social bullying which refers to any deliberate, repetitive and aggressive social behavior intended to hurt others or belittle any individual or group and gender-based bullying that humiliates a person on the basis of their sexual orientation and gender identity.
The Education secretary also noted that the Philippines is one of the first countries to implement an Anti-Bullying Act in the world.
All public and private kindergarten, primary and secondary schools as well as alternative learning centers are mandated to adopt anti-bullying policies and establish intervention programs which include counseling, life skills training and other activities that will enhance the psychological, emotional and the psycho-social well-being of both the victim and the bully with the inclusion of all concerned parties such as bullies, victims, witnesses, parents, school officials as well as other persons that may be affected by the bullying incident, he said.
Schools must also impose disciplinary measures as part of their child protection policy against the perpetrators depending on the gravity and nature of the cases. They may also refer the victims and bully to trained professionals outside the school such as social workers, guidance counselors, psychologists or child protection specialists for further assessment and appropriate intervention measures if necessary, Luistro said.
The law also states that the provisions of Republic Act 9344, or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act, will apply in case bullying incidents result to serious physical injuries or death.
Private schools shall be given 30 days to comply with and the DepEd may suspend or revoke the permit of a school in cases of noncompliance.
On the other hand, school personnel of public kindergarten, elementary or secondary schools who fail to conform to the act will be imposed sanctions in accordance with the Civil Service Rules and relevant issuances of the department, he said. PNA
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