Quezon City passes anti-bullying ordinance

MANILA, Philippines - The Quezon City Council has passed an ordinance that aims to prevent bullying among students that takes place on school premises.

Ordinance SP-2157 seeks to prevent acts of bullying in all the city’s public and private elementary, secondary schools as well as in colleges and universities.

Councilor Jesus Manuel Suntay, one of the proponents of the measure, said the problem is not just the physical and psychological harm that bullying brings to victims but the emotional mark that affects the study habits, social interactions and even the affected student’s way of life.

“There is a need to instill in them good manners and right conduct as they grow up. They must be developed into becoming productive, dynamic, industrious and responsible city-building partners in the future,” Suntay said.

The school and its personnel shall have special authority and responsibility over the students while under their supervision, instruction or custody and shall be principally liable for damages caused by acts of bullying to a child as provided by the measure.

The parents, judicial guardians or persons exercising substitute parental authority over the bully shall also be punished.

The measure mandates the school personnel and stakeholders to form and convene an anti-bullying committee to establish policies that will address the existence of bullying in their respective institutions.

Suntay added the anti-bullying committee’s failure to formulate anti-bullying policies will mean they will be penalized administratively.