BULLYING CASES DROP IN BAGUIO, BENGUET PUBLIC SCHOOLS, SAYS DEPED

June 28, 2025 Metro BLISTT

BAGUIO CITY

The Department of Education-Cordillera Administrative Region (DepEd-CAR) reported a steady decline in bullying incidents Baguio and Benguet schools over the past three school years, from forty eight cases in S.Y. 2022– 2023, S.Y. 2023-2024 twenty six cases to just 20 in S.Y. 2024– 2025. Augie Perla A. Simangan, PDO of Youth Formation, disclosed during the recent 2nd Quarter Kapihan sa DepEd-Cordillera hosted by the Schools Division Office-Baguio City. “Preventing bullying in schools requires comprehensive and sustained
approach that involves our learners, teachers, non-teaching personnel, parents, school and the community’’, Simangan said.

Despite having relatively low cases of bullying within the region, it is still necessary to enforce the zero bullying case rate-not just as policies, but as a practice through prevention programs with partners, such as BCPO, LGU, CHR, and DSWD.‘’During the first week of the school year, we monitor the creation of the anti-bullying committee in schools, so we give ample time to the school for this first week,’’ said Simangan. On the first day of school, they will begin orienting learners regarding the child protection policy alongside their parents, calling this program as the Home and School Partnership Association, Simangan added.

The Dep-Ed official also highlighted other preventive and intervention programs, such as the 24/7 Bullying Support Hotlines, Project: Child Rights, Monthly Symposiums, Kamustahan Youth, Anti-Bullying Training, and Awareness Campaigns. Simangan also delved into
the nature and varieties of bullying, stating that any unwanted action-whether verbal or physical-is bullying. Even repeated online posts or
mocking someone’s appearance can be classified as bullying. “Sometimes in our schools, we have children with special needs, especially those who are emotionally disturbed. That’s why we have to orient what are the different kinds of bullying,” Simangan said. Once it has been confirmed that there are true incidents of bullying, immediate action is taken through investigations. If confirmed, parents are called and interventions begin.

Laririt, Lorie Bernadett/UC-Intern