Taguig implements anti-bullying program in 34 public schools

MANILA, Philippines - Taguig City’s anti-bullying program is now being implemented in the city’s 34 public schools.

Taguig Mayor Lani Cayetano said the program was started in the city’s public schools even before the recent passage of the Anti-bullying Law.

Dubbed as the Students’ Anti-Bullying Action Center (SABAC), it is one of the main goals of Cayetano’s program against bullying in schools.

Cayetano said SABAC, which takes the form of an information desk to be run and manned by students, will provide a more comfortable venue for pupils to come out in the open before their problems with so-called bullies get any worse.

“These information desks will help bring matters of conflict resolution between kids to where they should be addressed — at home, where parents or guardians can take the lead,” said the local chief executive, who just won her second term.

SABAC is now complemented by the city government’s efforts to provide all 34 public schools in Taguig with anti-bullying equipment such as CCTV cameras and widescreen TV monitors.

Cayetano is currently leading the distribution of the equipment to the schools.

The SABAC program counts on the various schools’ Supreme Student Government (SSG) and Parent-Teachers Associations (PTAs). The SSG will designate an officer to man the desk every day.

Dr. George Tizon, DepEd Taguig-Pateros administrator, noted that children are reluctant to share their bullying problem to their parents or even teachers for fear of getting reprimanded.

The SABAC program aims to change this by also urging witnesses of bullying among students to report an incident on the behalf of the victim, which could be their friend.

“Our target is not only the victim, but also the witness,” Tizon said, adding that the anonymity of complainants will be honored by SABAC.

The DepEd official went on to describe the report-a-bully process, which begins by filling out a complainant’s form.

“Once filled out and we get the identity of the victim and the bully, the SSG officer will report the incident to their advisor. The SSG advisor will then report it to the guidance counselor and after evaluation; it will then be forwarded to the school principal to summon the concerned,” Tizon said.

The meeting will be witnessed by the GPTA president and if necessary by the class adviser.

“This gives the parents the opportunity to intervene on behalf of their children before someone gets seriously hurt,” Cayetano said.

“Also, this gives the school the chance to see if the kids have any problems at home that contribute to their attitude toward others in school,” she added.