Sanctions await private schools that tolerate bullying

MANILA, Philippines - Private schools that tolerate incidents of bullying will be suspended and school officials who fail to act on these will face administrative sanctions once President Aquino signs into law the anti-bullying bill.

New private schools are also mandated to include administrative policies and measures to monitor and prevent bullying incidents among students in their premises before they are given permits to operate, said Caloocan City Rep. Mary Cajayon, one of the principal authors of the measure.

Cajayon is awaiting Aquino’s approval on the measure to be known as the “Anti-Bullying Act of 2012” that was sent to his desk last week. The lawmaker said she practically spent the remaining session days focused on ensuring that her pet bill would successfully hurdle the legislative mill.

Other authors of the measure, which was speedily approved by both the Senate and the House of Representatives before the adjournment of the 15th Congress last week, are Senator-elect Juan Edgardo Angara, the late Salvador Escudero III of Sorsogon, and the three representatives of Ako Bicol party-list.

“This is one measure where the time and effort of Congress funded by taxpayers’ money was not wasted. It is now the turn of President Aquino to complete the process by signing it into law the soonest time possible,” Cajayon said.

“The approval of this landmark legislation came at an opportune time. Millions of students have already trooped to all public and private elementary and secondary schools last June 3, the opening of classes,” she noted.

“There is no better way to welcome them than to ensure that they will be protected from harm and violence,” she added.

Cajayon also said her measure has become necessary and timely due to the rising incidents of bullying in the country.

She cited the case of Patrick Sayas, a student at the Fernando Air Base National High School in Lipa City, Batangas, who died after he was allegedly punched in the face by an older schoolmate.

The lawmaker said that while she lauds the Department of Education (DepEd) for coming out with Department Order 40, Series of 2012 to prevent bullying at schools, her measure will give more teeth to similar policies that are already in place.

Within 90 days after the bill was signed into law, the DepEd would be mandated to enact policies for its effective implementation addressed to school principals and administrators who are primarily tasked to oversee the implementation of the measure.

The bill defines “bullying” as “any severe or repeated use by one or more students of a written, verbal or electronic expression, or a physical act or gesture, or any combination thereof, directed at another student that has the effect of actually causing or placing the latter in reasonable fear of physical or emotional harm or damage to his property; creating a hostile environment at school for the other student; infringing on the rights of the other student at school; or materially and substantially disrupting the education process or the orderly operation of a school.”

Cajayon said the measure also covers “cyber bullying” or “bullying done through the use of technology or any electronic means.”

To help strengthen the culture of peace and discipline in the country, Cajayon said she also filed a complementary bill, House Bill 6647, which seeks to establish a “National Bullying Awareness and Prevention Month.”