DSWD-7 supports anti-bullying campaign

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Social Welfare and Development-7 supports the Department of Education's anti-bullying campaign.

“The coordination of DSWD on school is directly to the mothers,” said DSWD-7 director Mercedita P. Jabagat.

Jabagat said that the teachers play an important role to stop bullying because they monitor students' behavior.

“Dako sab kaayo ang role sa maestra sa paghunong sa bullying kay sila man ang makamonitor sa batasan sa mga bata (teachers have a big role in stopping bullying because they monitor the behavior of children),” she said.

According to Ramil Epe-Catraman, an English teacher of Tejero National High School, teachers serve as second parents and have the authority to discipline.

“Students with behavior problems, lack guidance at home, cause of classroom disorders and the like. As a teacher, one must initiate creative activities to address the issue,” Catraman added.

Meanwhile, Jabagat said that the DSWD's Family Development Session for Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) which reinforces parents' rearing capacity and responsibility is conducted every month.

The 4Ps is a conditional cash transfer program of the government that provides incentives to poor families. It ensures that mothers and children avail of healthcare and for children to go to school with 85% monthly attendance.

With the FDS, parents will gain knowledge and perceive greater awareness on the impact of bullying and how it can be prevented, creating ripple of the society a safer educational environment to the children.

DSWD-7 also noted an increase of enrollment among nine schools in Cebu City and they attributed this to 4Ps, wherein one of its conditions is for school children of the beneficiaries to have 85 percent attendance per month. — (FREEMAN)