A recent study by the De La Salle University (DLSU) has raised serious concerns about bullying in Philippine schools, identifying Regions XIII (Caraga) and MIMAROPA (Mimaropa) as potential hotspots. The research also suggests overcrowded public schools nationwide may exacerbate bullying rates.

“One of the most striking findings in the PISA 2018 results was that the Philippines had the highest percentage of bullying among all participating countries,” said Dr. Allan Bernardo, a professor and researcher at DLSU, citing data from the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA).

According to the 2019 PISA results, 65% of Filipino students reported being bullied at least a few times a month, with 40% experiencing frequent bullying. The 2022 PISA data showed some improvement, but one-third of Filipino students — 43% of girls and 53% of boys — still reported being bullied multiple times a month.

The DLSU study also identified school characteristics that may contribute to a higher risk of bullying, such as large class sizes and inadequate adult supervision. The researchers also noted that schools with a higher percentage of students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds tend to have more bullying incidents. 

“We need to look at it as sustaining and supporting the whole school environment,” said Bernardo, emphasizing the need for comprehensive anti-bullying programs.

The findings echo concerns raised by Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, co-chair of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2), regarding discrepancies between reported bullying incidents and the actual prevalence on the ground.

“International large-scale assessments show us an alarmingly high prevalence of bullying in our schools,” Gatchalian said. “We need to ensure that DepEd [Department of Education] has strong reporting mechanisms.”

DepEd acknowledged they collect annual bullying data, but admitted challenges in verification. They also highlighted ongoing efforts to improve the functionality of Child Protection Committees (CPCs) in schools, which are mandated to address bullying incidents.

“The law was passed in 2013. From then, until last year, bakit hindi na-identify [yung reporting issues?]. Maliwanag naman ‘yung batas. DepEd knew the responsibilities that they had. Why did it take this long [to implement the law],” questioned Representative Roman Romulo, co-chair of EDCOM 2.

Next steps

The DLSU team proposed a comprehensive strategy to combat bullying, focusing on education, prevention programs, and clear incident management protocols. 

This recommendation aligns with calls to strengthen enforcement of the Anti-Bullying Act of 2013, which requires schools to establish reporting and intervention mechanisms, though concerns persist about its efficacy.

“Let’s not disappoint our teachers, students, and the DepEd family itself,” said Representative Roman Romulo, EDCOM 2 co-chair. “We have good plans, but we couldn’t implement them.”

During the hearing, EDCOM decided to form a working group to review the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Anti-bullying Act. The objective is to strengthen the policy and improve its effectiveness in safeguarding students from bullying.