Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

325

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by: Hon. Iris Marie D. Montes

AN ACT
DECLARING THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER OF EACH YEAR AS THE NATIONAL
BULLYING AWARENESS AND PREVENTION MONTH

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Bullying is one of the forms of violence against children that has now become a
prevalent issue facing school children and their parents in the country. It is generally
defined as an act of repeated aggressive behavior to intentionally hurt another person
physically or mentally.

According to the Programme for International Student Assessment or PISA report in
2018, the Philippines had the highest percentage of bullying among all participating
countries and territories.

The succeeding PISA in 2019 shows that 65% of Filipino students reported being
victims of any type of bullying at least a few times in a month, with 40% being bullied
frequently (once a week or more). In 2022, PISA reports that one out three Filipino
students are being bullied in schools, which means that about 43% of girls and 53% of
boys in the Philippines encounter bullying incidents multiple times a month. This is much
higher than the OECD average of 20% of girls, and 21% of boys.

Moreover, the Southeast Asia Primary Learning Metrics (SEA-PLM) 2019 revealed
that 63.2% of Grade 5 students in the Philippines encounter bullying at least once a
month.

In view of the spate of bullying incidents and bullying-related crimes in the country,
this measure aims to raise public awareness on bullying and the importance of creating
safe and protective spaces for children in order to promote universal primary education.

This bill was approved by the House of Representatives on third and final reading
during the previous Congress.

In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

rersithde dures

Kababaihan, Kabalikatan para sa Kapakanan
‘at Kaunlaran ng Bayan (4K) Party-list


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 325

Introduced by: Hon. Iris Marie D. Montes

AN ACT
DECLARING THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER OF EACH YEAR AS THE NATIONAL
BULLYING AWARENESS AND PREVENTION MONTH

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as the “National Bullying Awareness and
Prevention Month Act.”

SEC. 2. The month of September of each year is hereby declared the “National Bullying
Awareness and Prevention Month” to raise public awareness about bullying prevention and
the importance of protecting children and youth from abuse, cruelty, exploitation, and
other harmful conditions, with the goal of promoting safe environments and ensuring
access to quality education for all.

SEC. 3. In observance of the “National Bullying Awareness and Prevention Month,” an
annual program of activities shall be prepared and implemented by the Department of
Education (DepEd), in collaboration with the National Youth Commission (NYC) and the
Counci! for the Welfare of Children (CWC). The DepEd, NYC, and CWC are authorized to
request assistance from other government departments, bureaus, offices, agencies, or
instrumentalities, including government-owned or -controlled corporations, as necessary
to effectively carry out the objectives of this Act.

The DepEd shall 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.

SEC. 4. The Philippine Information Agency (PIA) shall, in collaboration with the DepEd,
NYC, and CWC, ensure the effective dissemination of information regarding this Act.

SEC. 5. All local government units, private organizations, civil society groups, non-
governmental organizations, and people's organizations are encouraged to observe the
“National Bullying Awareness and Prevention Month” through simple ceremonies and
actively participate in related activities.

SEC. 6. Within ninety (90) days from the effectivity ofthis Act, the DepEd shall, in
consultation with the NYC, CWC, PIA, and other concerned agencies, issue the necessary
rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.

SEC. 7. All laws, decrees, orders, rules, and regulations or parts thereof which are
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.

SEC. 8. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official
Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,