DLSMHSI takes initiative in preventing bullying in campus

MANILA, Philippines — De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute (DLSMHSI) celebrated its Lasallian Mission Jubilee Year last Feb. 14-15 with several events and seminars tackling different themes. Chief among these is the anti-bullying seminar entitled “I am bigger and stronger than my bullies,” which helped raise awareness of how bullying takes many shapes and forms, and what students can do in dealing with these situations.

“It’s a project by the students affairs office under the multicultural and minority department. It’s going to be a series of seminars to raise awareness and inform our students, staff, and administrators as regards their personal and social skills and awareness,” Mae Ann Bobadilla, chair of the multicultural and minority department, said.

They also collaborated with the student discipline and security department for this seminar to help students learn practical ways in overcoming cases of bullying.

“Our department has always been proactive in providing services for our students, like behavioral discipline. We have short clips being shown around the campus about bullying, about anything and everything about student affairs,” said Roberto Cruz III, chair of the student discipline and security department.

Cruz mentioned that, at the moment, the school does not have any recorded cases of bullying. Nevertheless, their departments have decided to take the initiative by holding anti-bullying seminars as preventive measures. They’re also prepared for possibilities when such cases become reality, with procedures in place that help their students.

“Aside from the sanctions given in the handbook, we are not punitive right now. We are more focused on nurturing them and assisting them,” Cruz emphasized.

Disciplinary sanctions for bullying in DLSMHSI includes a 10-day suspension, as well as attendance and participation in several programs and activities. These include Lasallian Formation; a series of meetings with guidance counseling; values formation; and finally community service, typically at Bahay Pag-asa Dasmariñas.