CALOOCAN 2nd District Rep. Mary Mitzi Lim Cajayon-Uy urged the House Committee on Basic Education to conduct an inquiry, in aid of legislation, on the implementation of the Anti-Bullying Act of 2013.

In House Resolution 342, Cajayon-Uy stressed that there is a need to review the law especially in the definition of bullying, the proper procedure in dealing and promptly responding to cases of bullying, the leniency of the rules and regulations regarding the disciplinary and punitive measures for offenders and in the improvement and protection to victims and witnesses.

“There is a need to empower all stakeholders tasked in combating this problem in schools given the pervasive and recurring incidents of violence, intimidation and harassment in schools that hamper the fulfillment of potential and overall development of every student,” the lawmaker said in the resolution.

In 2013, the number of bullying cases in elementary and high school in private and public schools was 5,236. This rose to 6,363 during School Year 2013-2014, and further skyrocketed to 29,723 in 2015-2016.

Cajayon-Uy said that the crucial factor identified with the rise and escalation of cases is the increasing and broad access of the children to internet service and use of cellhones and other forms of information and communication technologies.

The lawmaker also stressed that remedial measures must be reviewed continuously to improve policies and programs to protect the children.