IRR for anti-bullying act to be revised

CEBU, Philippines —  To properly address the challenges of bullying in schools, the Department of Education (DepEd) is working on revising the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the Anti-Bullying Act of 2013 to update it with the present-day situation.

Earlier reports said that bullying cases in Philippine public schools have increased.

“Kailangan na mas mabusisi at masinop tayo sa pagbantay ng mga bullying incidents,” Education Secretary Sonny Angara said.

Angara noted that it has been more than a year now since the Anti-Bullying Act had been established, yet he noted that not all schools have an anti-bullying policy up until present.

“Mahigit isang dekada na nung pinangunahan natin ang pagbuo ng batas na ito sa Senado. Ngayong nasa DepEd na tayo, nakita kong hindi pa rin lahat ng paaralan ay may anti-bullying policy,” he said.

Bullying, according to the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2), mainly affects the academic performance of the learners due to disengagement and long-term disinterest in their studies. This is based on the studies of De La Salle University and the Philippine Institute of Development Studies.

DepEd has established the Learner Rights and Protection Office in 2022 to provide a platform for the victims of bullying and other violent advances to report the cases to the agency. It also welcomed the enactment of the Basic Education Mental Health and Well- Being Promotion Act.

Angara has also prioritized hiring guidance counselors and providing mental health support to students and teachers.

DepEd and EDCOM II had already agreed on key points and revisions, with a commitment to work towards school-level implementations. Future steps include a series of high-level consultations to ensure that Year 2 Report findings inform the agency’s decision-making.

The implementation of the revised IRR is expected to be finished before the start of next school year.

Public consultations on the drafted IRR by DepEd, Civil Service Commission, Department of Budget and Management, and Professional Regulatory Commission are also put in place. (CEBU NEWS)