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Schools play an important
role in creating a culture where learners feel safe, respected and empowered.
This was the message highlighted during the recent anti-bullying awareness workshop attended by
learners, parents and teachers in Taguig City. The event was led by Department of Justice (DOJ) Undersecretary Atty. Ian Norman E. Dato who
served as the resource speaker for the workshop, held at the
Bagong Tanyag Integrated School (BTIS).
Dato led the discussion on
recognizing bullying, understanding students’ rights, strengthening
school-based responses, and knowing where learners can seek support.
“Addressing bullying is not only the responsibility of the person being
bullied. It is also the responsibility of teachers, parents, school personnel,
and everyone in the school community to listen, respond, and make sure that
every student feels safe and protected,” Dato said.
Dato also stressed that
awareness must be paired with action. Students who experience or witness
bullying need to know that speaking up matters, while parents, teachers, and
school personnel must be prepared to listen and respond appropriately.
While government agencies can
provide support when cases require intervention beyond the school, Dato
emphasized that bullying incidents experienced by learners should primarily be
addressed by their schools under the Anti-Bullying Act, particularly if the
incident occured within the 2-kilometer perimeter of the institution.
At the school level, Child
Protection Committees play an important role in receiving concerns, responding
to incidents, and ensuring that learners are protected. He added that
schools remain at the center of efforts
to prevent bullying and address cases before they escalate.
The DOJ’s role comes in when
cases require assistance beyond the school level. Dato cited Department
Circular No. 026, Series of 2026, issued on July 30, 2026, which establishes an
Accessibility and Referral Mechanism on Complaints of Bullying. The mechanism
allows DOJ Action Centers and National Prosecution Service offices nationwide
to accept and process bullying-related complaints or referrals, providing a
formal pathway for cases that may require legal or prosecutorial intervention.
For BTIS Principal Donnabel
F. Balantac, building a safe environment starts within the school itself. She
said the workshop was particularly important for students transitioning from
elementary to junior high school as they adjust to new environments,
relationships, and social dynamics. “Our school should be a place where everyone
feels safe, respected, and valued,” Balantac said.
She also challenged students
to see themselves as part of the school’s responsibility to protect one
another. As they progress through junior high school, students can become role
models for younger learners and help reinforce a culture where bullying is not
tolerated.
Guidance Advocate Jonathan L.
Carlos likewise stressed that creating a safe school environment requires
active participation from students and parents. Awareness, he noted, is
meaningful only when students feel comfortable reporting concerns and asking
for help.
Meanwhile, Master Teacher I
Josephine Jane A. Daileg urged participants to carry these lessons into their
classrooms and communities, emphasizing that everyone has a role in making
others feel protected, valued, and respected.
The DOJ workshop at BTIS
emphasized that preventing bullying is a shared responsibility, with schools
playing a particularly important role. By strengthening awareness, encouraging
students to speak up, maintaining responsive child-protection mechanisms, and
fostering a culture of respect, schools can address bullying early and help
ensure that learners have a safe environment in which to learn and grow.
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