A Nation Rises: Angara Unites Philippines’ Biggest Forces to End Bullying in Schools

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In a historic show of force and resolve, Education Secretary Sonny Angara rallied the nation's largest Executive Committee (Execom) ever assembled under the Department of Education (DepEd) banner to confront what he calls a “national priority”—the alarming surge of bullying incidents plaguing Philippine schools.

Spurred by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s urgent directive following a disturbing spike in reported cases—2,500 for School Year 2024–2025 in the National Capital Region alone—Angara's convening was not just symbolic. It was strategic, systemic, and seismic.

“We are no longer dealing with isolated incidents inside school gates,” Secretary Angara declared. “We are confronting a national epidemic that begins in our homes, echoes in our communities, and bleeds into our classrooms.”

With passion in his voice and urgency in his message, Angara set the tone for what became a sweeping multi-sectoral commitment: to end the culture of fear that haunts Filipino learners.

A Unified Front: The War Against Bullying Becomes Everybody’s Battle

Gathered under one roof were forces that rarely converge: law enforcers, social workers, academic giants, child welfare advocates, and mental health experts. The message was loud and clear—combating bullying would require a “whole-of-government, whole-of-society” approach.

The Philippine National Police pledged immediate intervention in cases that cross legal lines, including increased police visibility and CCTV installations around high-risk schools. Yet, Secretary Angara was quick to draw a line: “Security must never compromise sanctity. Our schools remain zones of peace.”

Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) vowed to do more than react. It will investigate cases and launch a Parent Effectiveness Office, addressing root causes from broken households to abusive environments that may shape a child’s behavior.

From the Streets to the Schools: Community Shields Go Up

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) took it further by activating the Comprehensive Barangay Juvenile Intervention Program (CBJIP). With rehabilitation and diversion at its core, the initiative aims to stop bullying before it starts—at the community level.

The Department of Justice stood firmly behind the plan, recognizing that early intervention is the strongest defense against juvenile delinquency.

Learning Empathy: A Curriculum That Cares

In a groundbreaking move, academic leaders from UP College of Education and Ateneo de Manila University joined the fray, pledging to reshape the Values Education and Good Manners and Right Conduct (GMRC) curriculum.

Socio-emotional learning, emotional regulation, and conflict management will now become staples of character formation in schools. Backed by global partners like UNICEF and Save the Children Philippines, the revised curriculum will not only inform—it will transform.

In tandem, reforms are underway to enhance the Drop-Out Reduction Program (DORP), offering special attention to Children-at-Risk and Children in Conflict with the Law.

School Safety 360: Drafting a New Shield for Learners

DepEd is also finalizing a Default Policy on School Safety and Security, which will serve as a blueprint for every learning institution in the country. Among its key elements:

Physical safety enhancements

Clear incident reporting mechanisms

Sanctions for offenders

Psychological first aid protocols

Financial assistance for bullying victims

This blueprint will eventually evolve into a Comprehensive School Operations Manual, centralizing all guidelines on safety and discipline.

Forging Alliances: From Watchmen to Wellness Warriors

DepEd’s campaign isn’t just inward-looking. It will mobilize barangay tanods, TUPAD beneficiaries, DOH medical professionals, and psychological first aid providers. The collective aim: a protective ring around every school, with communities acting as the first line of defense.

Parents, alumni, and student leaders will be empowered as watchdogs and advocates, strengthening local peace councils and mental health helplines in coordination with the National Center for Mental Health.

The Final Word: Urgency, Unity, and Unrelenting Action

In a time when digital screens magnify cruelty and peer violence leaves invisible scars, Secretary Angara’s resolve cuts through the noise.

“The safety of our learners cannot wait for perfect conditions,” he emphasized. “What we need now is urgency, unity, and sustained action.”

The meeting ended with a thunderous consensus: the time for fragmented efforts is over. The nation’s children will no longer walk into schools with fear as their companion.

Because in today’s Execom, the Philippines didn’t just take a stand—it launched a movement.

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