Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Nineteenth Congress
First Regular Session

“House sino. 7442

Introduced by Rep. Mary Mitzi “Mitch” Cajayon-Uy

ANACT
DECLARING SEPTEMBER OF EVERY 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.

Studies show that school bullying negatively impacts student learning and
motivation in the long term. Aside from the learner-level adverse effects, bullying
idents also severely affect the school environment in such a way that even the
learners who are not bullied would feel unsafe learning in an environment where they
witness bullying.

Against the backdrop of bullying prevalence in the country, Republic Act No.
10627, otherwise known as the “Anti- Bullying Act of 2013” was enacted on September
12, 2013, directing all elementary and secondary schools to adopt policies to address the
existence of bullying in their respective institutions.

The latest Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) results
released on December 3, 2019, however, reveals that Filipino learners are the most
exposed to bullying compared to their peers from other countries. Among the 15-year-
olds who participated in the large-scale international assessment, 65% said they
experienced bullying at least a few times a month. PISA results further show that
learners who reported being threatened scored 56 points lower in Reading compared to
those who had no or less frequent experiences.



Data from the PISA study also reveals that there were learners who experienced
or were threatened with violence. About 32% reported that they got hit or pushed
around by other students, and 35% received threats from other students;

According to a study conducted by a De La Salle University team headed by
psychology professor Dr. Allan Bernardo, efforts to raise the quality of education must
go beyond improving the curriculum and ensuring enough resources for the safety and
welfare of schools and learners. The study cited the 2018 PISA results and concluded
that poor readers tend to be more exposed to bullying, which aggravated their sense of
alienation - and further undermined their learning.

The World Health Organization's Global School-Based Student Health Survey
(GSHS) 2019 likewise reveals that 4 in every 10 Filipino learners aged to 17 experienced
bullying on school property.

On the other hand, the Southeast Asia Primary Learning Metrics (SEA-PLM) 2019
data shows that, among all countries that took the assessment, the Philippines has the
highest incidence of bullying, aggression, violence, and offensive behavior in schools.
About 63% of learners reported having experienced bullying at least once a month - the
highest among the surveyed neighboring countries, with Malaysia in far second at 26%.

Moreover, the SEA-PLM data shows that in the Philippine school environment,
about 9% reported having experienced aggression, 12% experienced violence, and about
29% experienced offensive behavior.

Overall, available nationally representative data depict an alarmingly high
incidence of bullying in Philippine basic education schools, notwithstanding the
enactment of the “Anti-Bullying Act of 2013” and the implementation of the Department
of Education (DepEd) issued DepEd Order (D0) No. 40, s. 20123 on the “Policy and
Guidelines on Protecting Children in School from Abuse, Violence, Exploitation,
Discrimination, Bullying and Other Forms of Abuse,” otherwise known as the “DepEd
Child Protection Policy”.

Pending the comprehensive review and gap analysis of RA No. 10627, which is
I to identify the issues and challenges in seeking strict enforcement to address the
alarming incidence of bullying in the country, it is important to stem the persistent rise
of bullying incidence in the country through rigorous public awareness and information
campaign.

Hence, this measure seeks to declare the month of September as the “National
Bullying Awareness and Prevention Month” in commemoration of the passage of the
law.

Through this effort, it is hoped that the problem of bullying in schools will be
effectively prevented or minimized through the conduct of awareness raising activities
to regularly and properly educate the public, especially the students, on the deleterious


impact of bullying not only to the future of our children and the Fi
developmental goals of the nation.

ino youth but to the

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

MARY MITZI “MITCH” IN-UY
24 District, Caloocan City


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

“oust sitio. 1442

Introduced by Rep. Mary Mitzi “Mitch” Cajayon-Uy

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

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

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

SECTION. 2. Awareness Month. - The month of September of every year is hereby
declared as "National Bullying Awareness and Prevention Month" to educate and raise
awareness of the public on bullying prevention and the importance of protecting
children and youth from all forms of abuse, cruelty and exploitation and other
conditions prejudicial to their development with the end view of promoting universal
primary education.

SECTION. 3. Public Education and Awareness Program. - Pursuant to the
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 cooperation with the National Youth Commission (NYC) and the
Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC). They are authorized to call upon any
department, bureau, office, agency, or instrumentality of the government, including
government-owned or -controlled corporations, for any assistance as may be needed in
the discharge of the tasks under this Act.

The DepEd shall lead all public and private elementary and high schools
nationwide in organizing consciousness raising activities on the problem and prevention
of bullying including other forms of abuse, cruelty and exploitation against children.

SECTION. 4. Media Campaign. - The Philippine Information Agency (PIA), in
coordination with the DepEd, the NYC and the CWC, shall ensure the effect
information dissemination of tt



SECTION. 5. Interagency and Multisectoral Effort. - All local government units
(LGUs) and private organizations including the civil society, private organizations, and
nongovernment, civic, and people’s organizations, are encouraged to observe the
National Bullying Awareness and Prevention Month in simple rites and participate in the
activities.

SECTION. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The DepEd, in consultation
with the NYC, CWC, the PIA, and other concerned agencies, shall promulgate the
appropriate rules and regulations necessary for the effective implementation of this Act
within ninety (90) days from its approval.

SECTION. 7. Repealing Clause. — Any law, presidential decree or issuance,
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to
or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, amended or modified
accordingly.

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

Approved,