Acknowledging the urgency of the issue, Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sonny Angara signed the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act on Tuesday, March 4.
“Sa pagpapatupad ng batas na ito, titiyakin natin na hindi lang ito magiging isang polisiya kundi isang konkretong hakbang upang matiyak na may malalapitan ang bawat estudyante at guro sa oras ng pangangailangan,” Secretary Angara said.
Photo courtesy: DepEd Philippines
Through the IRR, the Department of Education (DepEd) will focus on establishing a Mental Health and Well-Being Office (MHWO) in high-need areas.
Headed by a Schools Division Counselor, the MHWO directly addresses one of the Secretary’s 5-point Agenda: prioritizing students’ well-being and fostering a supportive learning environment.
Additionally, DepEd will prioritize assigning a school counselor or school counselor associate to large institutions such as Rizal High School. This initiative aims to develop Care Centers and enhance the Department’s mental health program, easing the burden on school administrators like Principal Santos.
In line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s vision of schools as “no-bully zones,” DepEd is also collaborating with EDCOM 2 to review and update the Anti-Bullying Act of 2013, ensuring the law is more adaptable to current school challenges and effectively implemented.
To further reinforce these efforts, DepEd will align the revised IRR of the Anti-Bullying Act with the IRR of the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act.
The agency has also partnered with its Human Resources division to explore hiring Project Development Officer I (PDO I) positions, who can serve as discipline officers to assist schools in addressing bullying and behavioral concerns.
To tackle the under-reporting of bullying cases, DepEd is incorporating Anti-Bullying and Rights-Based Education into the curriculum and will include the Anti-Bullying Policy and Code of Conduct in the Learner’s Handbook. Additionally, Social and Behavior Change (SBC) materials will be distributed nationwide to strengthen awareness and advocacy against bullying.
Photo courtesy: DepEd Philippines (FB)
The agency’s Learner Rights and Protection Division (LRPD) is also improving intervention strategies to ensure quicker case resolution and stronger support systems for affected students. Over time, the Department plans to localize the TeleSafe Contact Center Helpline (TCCH) to align with the language, cultural context, and specific needs of each region.
Between November 2022 and February 2025, LRPD recorded 522 bullying cases through the TCCH, with physical altercations being the most frequently reported form of student conflict.
