Sen. Win Gatchalian presides over the Committee on Ways and Means hearing on various measures seeking to impose value-added tax (VAT) on digital transactions Thursday, July 6, 2023. Joseph Vidal,  Senate PRIB/File

MANILA — The Philippines cannot be the bullying capital of the world for the third time. 

This was the statement of Senator Sherwin Gatchalian during the hearing of the Senate Committee on Basic Education on Tuesday amid the recent incidents of bullying in schools.

According to Gatchalian, the Philippines was the bullying capital based on the findings of the Program from International Student Assessment (PISA) in 2018 and 2022.

“Nakakabahala na itong mga batang to, susunod na generation ng ating bansa,” Gatchalian remarked. “Dapat sa maagang edad pa lang tinuturuan sila maging mabuting tao.”

Present in the hearing was Dr. Leonisa Romano, Principal IV of Moonwalk National High School, where a student was stabbed and later on died.

Romano said their students are disciplined, a reason that they were greatly shocked by the stabbing incident.

She admitted, however, they lack guidance counselors.

“Kailangan guided po talaga sila ng guidance counselor, 'di po ng kung sinong teacher na puwedeng magturo ng values education,” Romano said. “Meron din po kaming mga teacher na meron din doon registered pero ayaw nila pong maging counselor. Bakit po? Maaari po yung suweldo.”

The Principal IV of Bagong Silangan High School, Dr. Marivic Francisco, said students did not inform them of the bullying incident in their school.

In a viral video, a couple of students were seen pulling the hair of another student.

“Dinala sa’kin video ng SK Chair kasi dun sila lumapit,” Francisco said.

She added the involved students will undergo community service, psychological assessment, and a seminar on anger management.

The National Association of Public Secondary School Heads, Incorporated (NAPSSHI) meanwhile, appealed for the protection of teachers.

“Kapag hinawakan ng guro ang bata didisiplinahin, nau-upload ang teachers na abusado. Kaya gagawin ng teacher ngayon, sa takot na makasuhan sa 888 or grave abuse of authority, tatalikod, pupunta sa office of the principal, pababayaan na lang nangyari,” Dr. Roland Dela Cruz, NAPSSHI National President said.

SOLUTIONS

The Department of Education (DepEd) assured it prioritizes the safety of learners.

According to DepEd Assistant Secretary Dexter Galban, almost 80,000 cases of physical bullying and cyberbullying were reported from school year 2019 to 2022.

One of the solutions they came up with is to ensure Child Protection Committees (CPC) or anti-bullying committees are put up in schools as mandated by the Anti-Bullying Law.

At the moment, only 3,210 of the 48,000 schools nationwide have the said committee, according to Galban.

“We are looking into what admin sanctions can be imposed on the schools that are unable to operationalize their CPC,” Galban said.

Gatchalian responded: “I want to be strict about this anti-bullying committee, basic to eh. This is in the law, you know, primary author of this law is no less than Secretary Angara.”

Sonny Angara is the Secretary of DepEd.

Galban said they also hope to be given budget to hire additional guidance associates and counselors.

It is also working with EDCOM 2 or the Second Congressional Commission on Education to revise the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Anti-Bullying Act of 2013.

Gatchalian also questioned why Republic Act 11476 or the Good Manners and Right Conduct and Values Education Act has not yet been fully implemented.

“Marami sa mga batang ito, lumaki na sila sa ganitong pananaw na ang bullying ay okay lang, ang bullying pwede nilang gawin o yung bullying ay accepted. Kaya isa sa mga intervention ng Senado ay yung good manners and right conduct and I really believe in that,” Gatchalian said.

“That’s why that’s the only subject – in the whole list of subjects of DepEd na legislated — batas talaga siya. Because we believe that GMRC will help address bullying,” he added.

Galban said they will prioritize the implementation of the said law.

Gatchalian also recommended the implementation of the Parent Effectiveness Service Program Act, the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act, the regulation of the use of mobile devices inside school premises, installation of CCTVs in schools, and hiring of additional security personnel in schools.