PB urges schools to have mandatory anti-bullying measures

Local

THE Cebu Provincial Board (PB) has urged educational institutions to conduct mandatory anti-bullying orientation programs for students, teachers, and school personnel at the start of the academic year.

This came after the body, through a resolution passed during its July 20 regular session, pushed for the stronger enforcement of anti-bullying policies in schools.

Aside from the age-appropriate anti-bullying orientation, the PB also recommended that schools ensure that their Child Protection Committees are active for swift response and intervention in bullying incidents.

Additionally, it should also work closely with their local social welfare and development offices, Provincial Youth Office, and their barangays for localized intervention and psychosocial support.

Cebu 1st District Board Member Antonio Bacaltos, who authored the resolution, said there's a need to intensify local awareness campaigns about bullying, and encourage the active participation of parents through Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) engagement to ensure that Child Protection Committees in all schools in the province are fully functional.

Bacaltos noted that parents and teachers have limitations in disciplining children because of existing laws in the country, unlike before.

Children are also exposed to social media and modern technologies that may have influenced them.

"Naa tay mga balaod nga ang mga maestra nalimitado na sa pagbadlong, ang mga gunikanan sad limitado na sad sa pagbadlong. So posible kining mga bata gyud nato sad karon hilabina atong mga (nag) video games, (nag) online gaming, kanang grabe sad kaayo," Bacaltos said in an interview posted by Beyond Legislation.

Bacaltos emphasized the importance of such measures due to the influence of social media on childre.

"Grabe kaayo ang influence sa kon unsay mga technologies nato karon, so mao na kinahanglan nato preparahan, mao na kinahanglan panghingusgan nato karon sad," Bacaltos said.

The legislator said the province should take steps to protect the safety, security, and welfare of its children, since they are the future leaders of the country.

"Kun safe ang mga bata, walay bullying, nindot sad siguro ang environment sa skwelahan kay ganahan sila moadto sa skwelahan, kay ang uban dili moadto sa skwelahan kay gibully sila," he said.

Bacaltos said strengthening the anti-bullying policies is a big support for protecting children, as it also supports the enforcement of the Anti-Bullying Act of 2013 and the newly established Cebu Safe Schools Program of Cebu Province.(MyTVCebu)