Consolacion mayor bats for bully-free schools

CEBU, Philippines – Grade 3 pupil Jiel Chris Desamparado, 9, was punched four times in the nape by his 10-year-old classmate in Bantayan town's Vito Elementary School earlier this week.

The fistfight erupted during lunch break inside the school in Barangay Kangkaibe when the older boy, who police refused to name, allegedly teased Desamparado by saying he did not belong to the class.  

The taunting from his classmate apparently irked Desamparado, thus ushering in the brawl, police said. But the 10-year-old boy subdued the younger Desamparado who was punched in the nape and hit in the face.

Desamparado fainted as he walked into the classroom, and when he was rushed to Bantayan District Hospital, the kid could not be revived.

Incidents of bullying within the school premises, such as what may have happened to Desamparado, are what Consolacion Mayor Teresa Alegado wishes to eradicate in her town.

Speaking before hundreds of students in yesterday's 22nd Children's Month Congress at the SM City Consolacion, Mayor Alegado said she wants massive education against bullying in school as she urged teachers to strictly implement measures to stop the bad practice.

In her speech, Mayor Alegado personally called on students to avoid any forms of bullying in schools and on parents to monitor the performance of their children in school.

Everyone affected

Studies have shown that bullying can affect everyone - those who are bullied, those who bully and those who witness bullying.

Bullying is linked to many negative outcomes, including impacts on mental health, substance use, and suicide.

Research shows that kids who are bullied are more likely to experience depression and anxiety, increased feelings of sadness and loneliness, changes in sleep and eating patterns, and loss of interest in activities they used to enjoy. These issues may persist into adulthood.

On the other hand, kids who bully others can also engage in violent and other risky behaviors into adulthood, such as tending to abuse alcohol and other drugs in adolescence and as adults, get into fights, vandalize property, drop out of school and engage in early sexual activity, among others.

Meanwhile, those who witness bullying are more likely to miss their classes.

Projects

Mayor Alegado said there are problems and issues affecting the children that need to be given immediate solution.  She then announced the priority projects meant to promote the children's welfare under her administration.

According to the mayor, the municipal government has implemented part of the national government's P1.7 million supplementary program intended to benefit children in her town.

Mayor Alegado disclosed that a total of 1,663 children from Consolacion's 26 day care centers benefitted from the program.

The Municipal Social Welfare Office also initiated a symposium about child sexual abuse awareness where the students were briefed on their respective rights, as well as the problem of cyberpornography