Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. __]] 260

Introduced by 4Ps Partylist Representative
JC M. ABALOS

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Republic Act No. 10627, otherwise known as the Anti-Bullying Act of 2013, is a landmark
piece of legislation that mandates elementary and secondary schools to establish policies and
mechanisms to prevent and address incidents of bullying. It aims to foster a safe and
conducive learning environment for students and emphasizes the importance of educational
awareness for both students and parents on this critical issue. However, despite the

enactment of this significant law, challenges in its implementation persist.

Data from the 2022 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), conducted by
the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), reveal concerning
figures. According to the report, 8% of Filipino students reported not feeling safe in their
classrooms, while 19% felt unsafe in other areas of the school premises. These percentages
are significantly higher than the OECD international averages of 7% for classroom safety and
10% for other school areas. While these figures may partly reflect the physical environment
and ambiance of schools, the OECD highlights that perceptions of safety are also influenced
by exposure to risks such as threats and fights on school grounds. Further, the percentage of
Filipino students who reported being bullied at least a few times a month in their school is
significantly higher than the OECD international average. In the Philippines, 43% of girls
and 53% of boys reported being victims of bullying acts, compared to the OECD
international averages of 20% for girls and 21% for boys.


While these figures have improved since the 2018 PISA assessment, they remain far below
the desired standards. As further emphasized in the 2022 PISA report, creating a safe
learning environment where students feel secure and are free from bullying contributes to a
stronger sense of belonging in school, greater confidence in self-directed learning, and
higher overall life satisfaction. Studies consistently support this notion, highlighting that
raising awareness about bullying among students and other stakeholders is a crucial step.
Gonzales and Madrigal (2021), in their study on bullying awareness and incidence in a
Philippine public high school, found that school-based anti-bullying programs encourage
active participation from administrators, teachers, and students, ultimately reducing
bullying incidents. Thus, strict implementation and enforcement of anti-bullying policies
significantly contribute to fostering an environment free from bullying and shaping
students attitudes and behaviors toward this issue.

Further, during the Department of Social Welfare and Development's National Children’s
Congress in November 2024, children of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps)
expressed concerns about bullying. Among the policy suggestions that came up in the
delegates’ workshops is increasing awareness among students by holding orientations on
anti-bullying policies on the first day of the academic year. Ensuring that students are
promptly informed about these critical policies and, at the onset, equipping them with
strategies to prevent bullying incidents.

Therefore, this proposed bill seeks to amend the Anti-Bullying Act of 2013 to reflect a more
proactive approach in its implementation by mandating schools to conduct student
orientations on anti-bullying policies on the first day of each academic year for students.
Additionally, it shall require schools to hold mandatory orientations or seminars for parents
‘on anti-bullying policies during the first Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) meeting of the
year. Furthermore, it aims to strengthen information dissemination efforts to ensure that all
stakeholders are well-informed about anti-bullying policies and measures.

In light of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this measure is earnestly sought.

JCM. ABALOS
nntative, 4Ps Partylist


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

House BILL No. _11260

Introduced by 4Ps Partylist Representative
JCM. ABALOS.

AN ACT
STRENGTHENING THE PREVENTION OF BULLYING IN ELEMENTARY AND
SECONDARY SCHOOLS BY MANDATING FIRST-DAY ORIENTATIONS ON
ANTI-BULLYING POLICIES, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT
NO. 10627, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “ANTI-BULLYING ACT OF 2013”

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

SECTION 1. Section 3 of Republic Act No. 10627 shall be amended to read as
follows:

“SECTION 3. Adoption of Anti-Bullying Policies. - All elementary and
secondary schools are hereby directed to adopt policies to address the
existence of bullying in their respective institutions. Such policies shall be
regularly updated and, at a minimum, shalll include provisions which:

OOK

f) Educate students on the dynamics of bullying, the anti-bullying policies of
the school as well as the mechanisms of such school for the anonymous
reporting of acts of bullying or retaliation DURING THE FIRST-DAY
ORIENTATION OF EVERY ACADEMIC YEAR, AND ENSURE
INFORMATION DISSEMINATION AND REINFORCEMENT OF SUCH
POLICIES THROUGHOUT THE ACADEMIC YEAR;


(g) Educate parents and guardians about the dynamics of bullying, the
anti-bullying policies of the school and how parents and guardians can
provide support and reinforce such policies at home DURING THE FIRST
PARENTS-TEACHERS ASSOCIATION MEETINGS, AND ENSURE
INFORMATION DISSEMINATION AND REINFORCEMENT OF SUCH
POLICIES THROUGHOUT THE ACADEMIC YEAR; and

h) XXX.”

SEC. 2. Separability Clause. If any provision or part hereof is held
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected shall
remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 3. Repealing Clause. All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, rules
and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are
hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SEC. 4. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette or in any newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,