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High school students are seen waiting in line, catching up with their friends and classmates and enjoying their time in front of the Marikina High School in Marikina City after two years of online classes on Nov. 2, 2022.
The STAR / Walter Bollozos
MANILA, Philippines — Calls have been intensifying for stronger anti-bullying polices in Philippine schools, including the implementation of an urgent, widespread reporting system and holding parents of bullies accountable for their children’s actions.
Quezon City Councilor Alfred Vargas is the latest figure to support anti-bullying reform efforts spearheaded by Sen. Bam Aquino.
The manifestation of support follows Vargas’ own recent call to action during a session of the city’s Sangguniang Panlungsod, where he urged for a comprehensive review and amendment of the city’s Anti-Bullying Ordinance amid rising cases of abuse in both public and private educational institutions.
The appeal led to the Quezon City Council officially voting to investigate ongoing bullying cases and discuss legislative measures to fortify the city’s existing protections for students.
“Nakakabahala na ang bullying ay problemang kinakaharap ng buong bansa at hindi lang siya lokal na suliranin. Nagagalak ako at kumikilos din ang Senado upang solusyunan ang problema ng pang-aabuso at pambubully sa mga paaralan sa bansa. Lalo nitong pinagtitibay ang ating layuning matanggal ang bullying hindi lang sa QC ngunit sa buong Pilipinas,” Vargas said.
Vargas added that he shares Aquino’s sentiments of possibly penalizing parents who tolerate and even encourage their children to resort to bullying. In his recent privilege speech, the councilor urged his colleagues to discuss the roles and responsibilities of parents in stopping the culture of bullying.
“Itanong din natin kung ano ba talaga ang tungkulin ng mga magulang ng mga estudyante sa pag-report ng bullying. Ano ang role, ang papel, ng mga magulang kung yung anak nila ang binubully? Lalo na, anong role ng magulang kung yung anak nila yung nambu-bully?” he added.
Aquino, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, recently expressed dismay over the severe underreporting of bullying incidents and highlighted the critical shortage of guidance counselors in schools. The Senator cited a recent case in Narvacan, Ilocos Sur, where the bullying of a young girl went unreported for three days, coming to light only after a video of the incident went viral on social media.
The urgency of these reforms is further underscored by findings from the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2). According to EDCOM 2, rampant bullying is directly linked to lower literacy levels, poorer academic performance, and chronic absenteeism — factors that lead to lasting trauma.
In Quezon City, Vargas noted that the consequences have already proven fatal, citing a recent case that led to a student's suicide.
The councilor vowed to work closely with national leaders to ensure a unified front against school violence.
“Mapa-lokal man o national, kailangan na nating tapusin ang problema na ito. Walang puwang ang bullying sa Quezon City o kahit saan man sa bansa.” (Contributed story)
