THE DEPARTMENT of Education (DepEd) on Monday approved tougher and clearer measures to combat school bullying, following the signing of the revised implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of Republic Act No. 10627, or the Anti-Bullying Act of 2013.

In a statement, Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the updated IRR mandates all public and private schools, community learning centers, Philippine schools overseas, and international schools to adopt standardized anti-bullying policies.

He said the revisions aim to ensure a safer learning environment for students, aligned with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive.

“We need to have a culture of compassion and respect. To realize these, we are granting clearer powers and roles to teachers, parents, and school heads,” Angara said, referring to responsibilities for the DepEd governance level, learners, parents, and parent substitutes.

These roles cover tasks to roll out school-wide prevention programs, early interventions, and a streamlined system for addressing complaints and appeals related to bullying, he added.

Angara underscored the need to immediately address bullying as it is considered one of the reasons behind “absenteeism, poor performance, and school dropouts.”

“No student will grow if they are afraid to go to school every day. That’s why this policy is not just for discipline, but also for the quality of education,” he said.

Besides its implementation across all schools, the revised IRR also expanded definitions of acts and precursors of bullying, according to the DepEd.

These include “precursor behaviors, repeated patterns of intimidation, and cases that may not result in physical harm but lead to significant emotional distress or social exclusion.”

A new Learner Formation Officer role will also act as the first responder to bullying cases to ensure timely action. (PNA)