HOUSE OKS ANTI-BULLYING MEASURE

The House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading a measure declaring September of every year as National Bullying Awareness and Prevention Month, as Speaker Faustino “Bojie” G. Dy III stressed that protecting children must include ensuring that schools and communities are safe spaces where they can learn and grow without fear.

House Bill No. 10134, or the proposed “National Bullying Awareness and Prevention Month Act,” was unanimously approved Tuesday with 245 affirmative votes, zero negative votes, and no abstentions.

Speaker Dy said the measure seeks to strengthen public awareness of bullying and mobilize schools, families, communities, and government institutions to work together in preventing behavior that can cause lasting harm to children.

“Every child deserves to go to school feeling safe, respected, and accepted. Walang batang dapat matakot pumasok sa eskwela dahil sa pang-aapi, pananakot, o anumang uri ng bullying,” Speaker Dy said.

“Bullying is not something we should dismiss as a normal part of growing up. It can leave wounds that we may not immediately see, but which a child can carry for many years. Kaya mahalaga ang prevention, awareness, at maagang pagkilos.”

Under HB 10134, September of every year would be declared National Bullying Awareness and Prevention Month to raise public awareness about bullying prevention and underscore the importance of protecting children and young people from abuse, cruelty, exploitation, and other harmful conditions.

The measure specifically identifies the promotion of safe learning environments and equitable access to quality education for all as among its goals.

The bill mandates the Department of Education (DepEd), in collaboration with the National Youth Commission (NYC) and the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC), to prepare and implement an annual program of activities for the observance.

DepEd would also oversee awareness-raising activities on bullying prevention, as well as the prevention of other forms of abuse, cruelty, and exploitation against children, in all public and private elementary and high schools nationwide.

The Philippine Information Agency (PIA), meanwhile, would work with DepEd, the NYC and CWC to ensure the effective dissemination of information about the law and its objectives.

The measure also encourages local government units, private organizations, civil society groups, non-government organizations, and people’s organizations to participate in the observance, making bullying prevention a broader community effort rather than a responsibility confined to schools.

Speaker Dy said the approach recognizes that addressing bullying requires the participation of everyone who plays a role in a child’s life.

“Ang laban kontra bullying ay responsibilidad nating lahat—ng mga guro, magulang, paaralan, pamahalaan, at ng mismong mga kabataan. We need to teach our children not only to stand up for themselves, but also to stand up for others who may be afraid to speak,” said the Speaker from Isabela.

The Speaker noted that bullying has also evolved with technology, with harassment no longer confined to classrooms, playgrounds, or school grounds but increasingly taking place through social media and other digital platforms.

This, according to the House chief, makes awareness and early intervention even more important because children can now be exposed to harassment even after they leave school.

“Hindi natatapos ang bullying sa pag-uwi ng bata. Sa panahon ng social media, maaari itong sumunod sa kanila hanggang sa kanilang tahanan. Our responsibility is to make sure our laws, our schools, and our communities keep pace with the realities our children face today,” he said.

Speaker Dy said the House would continue pursuing measures that strengthen the protection and well-being of Filipino children.

“Sa Bagong Kongreso, gusto nating maramdaman ng bawat bata na may nakikinig sa kanila, may handang tumulong sa kanila, at may pamahalaang handang protektahan sila,” he said.

“Because when our children feel safe, they are free to learn, to dream, and to become the best version of themselves. That is the kind of environment we must build for every Filipino child.” (RM)