Philippines Emphasizes Schools' Primary Role in Bullying Response

The Department of Justice (DoJ) has stated that schools should be the primary responders to bullying incidents involving their students, with cases requiring legal or prosecutorial intervention to be referred to its offices. "Addressing bullying is not only the responsibility of the person being bullied. It is also the responsibility of teachers, parents, school personnel, and everyone in the school community to listen, respond, and make sure that every student feels safe and protected," said Justice Undersecretary Ian Norman E. Dato during an anti-bullying workshop on Sept. 5 at the Bagong Tanyag Integrated School (BTIS) in Taguig City. He said that under the Anti-Bullying Act, schools are primarily responsible for handling bullying, particularly when incidents occur within the two-kilometer perimeter of the school. DoJ Action Centers and National Prosecution Service offices nationwide may receive bullying-related complaints or referrals requiring legal or prosecutorial assistance under Department Circular No. 026, Series of 2026, issued July 30. The circular established an Accessibility and Referral Mechanism on Complaints of Bullying. Mr. Dato also urged students who experience or witness bullying to report it and called on parents, teachers, and school personnel to respond to complaints. BTIS Principal Donnabel F. Balantac said the school should provide a safe environment for students, particularly those transitioning from elementary to junior high school. She urged students to see themselves as part of the school community’s responsibility to protect one another. "Our school should be a place where everyone feels safe, respected, and valued," Ms. Balantac said. The DoJ earlier said its Action Center and prosecution offices nationwide had received no bullying-related complaints or referrals from the July 30 issuance of the circular through Sept. 2. Mr. Dato cautioned that the absence of cases referred to the department did not mean that bullying incidents were not occurring. "Zero complaints does not mean zero incidents," he told a Sept. 2 press briefing. Under the Anti-Bullying Act, complaints are generally handled first by schools through their Child Protection Committees. Cases may reach prosecutors when they are referred under the DoJ circular or when the alleged conduct may already constitute a criminal offense. — Mark Joseph M. Sanchez