Bulacan board enacts anti-bullying ordinance

MALOLOS CITY, Philippines  – Rampant incidents of bullying by students toward fellow students in schools here have prompted provincial legislators to pass an ordinance recently.

The Bulacan Sangguniang Panlalawigan passed the anti-bullying measure known as the Ordinance Restricting the Prevalence of Harassment and Finger-pointing or “Bullying” and the like in all schools, either private or public, in the province.

According to studies, seven out of 10 students are becoming victims of bullying which is prevalent in the elementary level. Its negative effects such as fear of classmates and decrease in mental capacity and ability make it impossible for bullied children to excel in their studies.

Bullying is defined as “any severe or repeated use by one or more students of a written, verbal or electronic expression, or a physical act or gesture to put someone in reasonable fear.”

It has different forms such as harassment or provocation or the use of foul language, name calling, tormenting or even commenting negatively on someone’s looks, clothes and body, and also includes “cyber-bullying.”

Any school in the province or its officials found defiant of the anti-bullying ordinance will be penalized with a fine of P5,000 and six months’ imprisonment.

A provincial council headed by Gov. Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado was created to formulate plans and policies, and monitor and evaluate the implementation of the ordinance.

Provincial Ordinance No. 2012-06 was authored by board members Therese Cheryll Ople of the first district and Mark Jerome Anthony Santiago, Sangguniang Kabataan provincial federation president.