Schools play an important role in creating a culture where learners feel safe, respected and empowered. This was the message highlighted during the recent anti-bullying awareness workshop attended by learners, parents and teachers in Taguig City. The event was led by Department of Justice (DOJ) Undersecretary Atty. Ian Norman E. Dato who served as the resource speaker for the workshop, held at the Bagong Tanyag Integrated School (BTIS).

Dato led the discussion on recognizing bullying, understanding students’ rights, strengthening school-based responses, and knowing where learners can seek support. “Addressing bullying is not only the responsibility of the person being bullied. It is also the responsibility of teachers, parents, school personnel, and everyone in the school community to listen, respond, and make sure that every student feels safe and protected,” Dato said.

Dato also stressed that awareness must be paired with action. Students who experience or witness bullying need to know that speaking up matters, while parents, teachers, and school personnel must be prepared to listen and respond appropriately.
While government agencies can provide support when cases require intervention beyond the school, Dato emphasized that bullying incidents experienced by learners should primarily be addressed by their schools under the Anti-Bullying Act, particularly if the incident occured within the 2-kilometer perimeter of the institution.

At the school level, Child Protection Committees play an important role in receiving concerns, responding to incidents, and ensuring that learners are protected. He added that schools remain at the center of efforts to prevent bullying and address cases before they escalate.

The DOJ’s role comes in when cases require assistance beyond the school level. Dato cited Department Circular No. 026, Series of 2026, issued on July 30, 2026, which establishes an Accessibility and Referral Mechanism on Complaints of Bullying. The mechanism allows DOJ Action Centers and National Prosecution Service offices nationwide to accept and process bullying-related complaints or referrals, providing a formal pathway for cases that may require legal or prosecutorial intervention.
For BTIS Principal Donnabel F. Balantac, building a safe environment starts within the school itself. She said the workshop was particularly important for students transitioning from elementary to junior high school as they adjust to new environments, relationships, and social dynamics. “Our school should be a place where everyone feels safe, respected, and valued,” Balantac said.

She also challenged students to see themselves as part of the school’s responsibility to protect one another. As they progress through junior high school, students can become role models for younger learners and help reinforce a culture where bullying is not tolerated.

Guidance Advocate Jonathan L. Carlos likewise stressed that creating a safe school environment requires active participation from students and parents. Awareness, he noted, is meaningful only when students feel comfortable reporting concerns and asking for help.

Meanwhile, Master Teacher I Josephine Jane A. Daileg urged participants to carry these lessons into their classrooms and communities, emphasizing that everyone has a role in making others feel protected, valued, and respected.

The DOJ workshop at BTIS emphasized that preventing bullying is a shared responsibility, with schools playing a particularly important role. By strengthening awareness, encouraging students to speak up, maintaining responsive child-protection mechanisms, and fostering a culture of respect, schools can address bullying early and help ensure that learners have a safe environment in which to learn and grow.