SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian has reiterated the need to mobilize Child Protection Committees (CPCs) in schools to more aggressively address the persistent problem of bullying across the country.

“Child Protection Committees are effective against bullying because these are machineries on the ground per school where the community, teachers, and parents are represented. Ang mungkahi ko sa Department of Education ay paigtingin natin ang pagbuo ng CPC sa mga eskwelahan natin para masugpo ang bullying,” said Gatchalian, Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education.

The senator recalled raising the same recommendation during a basic education panel hearing on school bullying last year, which he chaired, underscoring the urgency of strengthening on-the-ground mechanisms to protect students.

Under DepEd Order No. 40 s. 2012, schools are mandated to establish CPCs to ensure child safety, implement protection policies, conduct information campaigns, and organize programs aimed at preventing abuse and bullying.

However, Gatchalian flagged that as of last year, only 966 out of more than 45,000 public schools nationwide had activated their CPCs—highlighting a significant gap in implementation.

He also pointed out that the Philippines recorded the highest incidence of bullying in the last two cycles of the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), emphasizing the need for stronger and more proactive interventions at the school level.

Gatchalian stressed that fully operational CPCs can serve as a critical frontline defense, fostering safer learning environments and ensuring that cases of bullying are addressed promptly and effectively.