Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
Caraga Administrative Region
DIVISION OF AGUSAN DEL NORTE
Jabonga District II

CUYAGO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

School Anti- Bullying Policy

I. RATIONALE

This school does not tolerate any form or act of bullying inside the school premises. It is
contrary to the goals and aims of school and principle we live by. All teachers’ staff and other
stakeholders shall take part of the responsibility in securing the emotional environment of every
learner.

II. MISSION STATEMENT

To promote positive interpersonal relations between all members of the school; and
To ensure safe and friendly school environment.
III. PRINCIPLES
The policy aims to protect the child from all forms of violence that may be inflicted by adults,
persons in authority as well as their fellow students, including bullying.
To provide special protection to the children who are gravely threatened or endangered by
circumstances which affect their normal development and over which they have no control, and to
assist the concerned agencies in their rehabilitation
To ensure that such special protection from all forms of abuse and exploitation and care as is
necessary for the child’s well- being, taking into account the primary rights and duties of the parents,
legal guardians or other individuals who are legally responsible and exercise custody over child.
Zero tolerance for any act of child abuse, exploitation, violence, bullying and other forms of
abuse.

IV. DEFINITION OF BULLYING

BULLY- refers to any student who commits acts of bullying by act or this IRR.

BULLIED OR VICTIM- refers to any student who experiences the acts of bullying or retaliation
as defined by the act of this IRR.

BY STANDER refers to any person who witnesses or has personal knowledge of any actual or
perceived acts or incidents of bullying or retaliation as defined by this IRR.

LEARNING CENTER- refers to learning resources and facilities of a learning program for out
of school youth and adults as defined in DepEd Order No. 43, S. 2013.

SERVICE PROVIDER- refers to any person who is not a teacher or school personnel but who
works in school, such as, but not limited to security guards, canteen personnel, utility workers,
and transportation service.
 STUDENT- refers to a person who attends classes in any level of basic education, and
includes a pupil or learner as defined in DepEd Order No. 40,S. 2012

Pupil, Student or Learner- means a child who regularly attends classes in any level of the
basic education system, under the supervision and tutelage of a teacher or facilitator.

School Personnel- means the persons, singly or collectively, working in a public or private
school. They are classified as follows:

a. "School Head" refers to the chief executive officer or administrator of a public or

private school or learning center.
b. "Other School Officials" include other school officers, including teachers, who are
occupying supervisory positions or positions of responsibility, and are involved in policy
formulation or implementation in a school.

c. "Academic Personnel" includes all school personnel who are formally engaged in
actual teaching service or in research assignments, either on a full-time or a part-time
basis, as well as those who possess certain prescribed academic functions directly
supportive of teaching, such as registrars, librarians, guidance counselors, researchers,
and other similar persons. They may include school officials who are responsible for
academic matters, and other school officials.

Child Protection- refers to programs, services, procedures and structures that are intended to
prevent and respond to abuse, neglect, exploitation, discrimination and violence.

Parents- refers to biological parents, step-parents, adoptive parents and the common-law
spouse or partner of the parent;

Guardians or Custodians- refers to legal guardians, foster parents, and other persons,
including relatives or even non-relatives, who have physical custody of the child

School Visitor or Guest- refers to any person who visits the school and has any official
business with the school, and any person who does not have any official business but is found
within the premises of the school. This may include those who are within the school premises
for certain reasons, e.g. student teachers, catechists, service providers, suppliers, bidders,
parents and guardians of other children.

IV. FORMS OF BULLYING

Child Abuse- refers to the maltreatment of a child, whether habitual or not, which includes any
of the following:

a. psychological or physical abuse, neglect, cruelty, sexual abuse and emotional

maltreatment;
 b. any act by deeds or words which debases, degrades or demeans the intrinsic worth and
dignity of a child as a human being;

c. unreasonable deprivation of the child's basic needs for survival, such as food and
shelter; or

d. failure to immediately give medical treatment to an injured child resulting in serious

impairment of his or her growth and development or in the child's permanent incapacity
or death (Sec. 3 [b],RA7610).

Discrimination against children- refers to an act of exclusion, distinction, restriction or

preference which is based on any ground such as age, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation and
gender identity, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property,
birth, being infected or affected by Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune
Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), being pregnant, being a child in conflict with the law, being a
child with disability or other status or condition, and which has the purpose or effect of
nullifying or impairing the recognition, enjoyment or exercise by all persons, on an equal
footing, of all rights and freedoms.

Child exploitation- refers to the use of children for someone else's advantage, gratification or
profit often resulting in an unjust, cruel and harmful treatment of the child. These activities
disrupt the child's normal physical or mental health, education, moral or social emotional
development. It covers situations of manipulation, misuse, abuse, victimization, oppression or
ill-treatment.

There are two (2) main forms of child exploitation that are recognized:

1. Sexual exploitation - refers to the abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or

trust, for sexual purposes. It includes, but it is not limited to forcing a child to participate in
prostitution or the production of
pornographic materials, as a result of being subjected to a threat, deception, coercion,
abduction, force, abuse of authority, debt bondage, fraud or through abuse of a victim's
vulnerability.

2. Economic exploitation - refers to the use of the child in work or other activities for the benefit
of others. Economic exploitation involves a certain gain or profit through the production,
distribution and consumption of
goods and services. This includes, but is not limited to, illegal child labor, as defined in RA
9231.

3. Violence against children committed in schools – refers to a single act or a series of acts
committed by school administrators, academic and non-academic personnel against a child,
which result in or is likely to result in physical, sexual, psychological harm or suffering, or other
abuses including threats of such acts, battery, assault, coercion, harassment or arbitrary
deprivation of liberty. It includes, but is not limited to,
the following acts:
 1. Physical violence refers to acts that inflict bodily or physical harm. It includes assigning
children to perform tasks which are hazardous to their physical well-being.

4. Violence against children committed in schools – refers to a single act or a series of acts
committed by school administrators, academic and non-academic personnel against a child,
which result in or is likely to result in physical, sexual, psychological harm or suffering, or other
abuses including threats of such acts, battery, assault, coercion, harassment or arbitrary
deprivation of liberty. It includes, but is not limited to,
the following acts:

1. Physical violence refers to acts that inflict bodily or physical harm. It includes assigning
children to perform tasks which are hazardous to their physical well-being.

2. Sexual violence refers to acts that are sexual in nature. It includes, but is not limited to:

1. rape, sexual harassment, acts of lasciviousness, making demeaning and

sexually suggestive remarks, physically attacking the sexual parts of the victim's
body;

2. forcing the child to watch obscene publications and indecent shows or forcing the
child to do indecent sexual acts and/or to engage or be involved in, the creation
or distribution of such films, indecent
publication or material; and

3. acts causing or attempting to cause the child to engage in any sexual activity by
force, threat of force, physical or other harm or threat of physical or other harm or
coercion, or through inducements, gifts or
favors.

5. Psychological violence refers to acts or omissions causing or likely to cause mental or

emotional suffering of the child, such as but not limited to
intimidation, harassment, stalking, damage to property, public ridicule or humiliation, deduction
or threat of deduction from grade or merit as a
form of punishment, and repeated verbal abuse.

6. Other acts of violence of a physical, sexual or psychological nature that are prejudicial to the
best interest of the child.

7. "Bullying or Peer Abuse" - refers to willful aggressive behavior that is directed, towards a
particular victim who may be out-numbered, younger, weak, with disability, less confident, or
otherwise vulnerable. More particularly:

1. Bullying - is committed when a student commits an act or a series of acts directed

towards another student, or a series of single acts directed towards several students in
a school setting or a place of learning, which results in
physical and mental abuse, harassment, intimidation, or humiliation. Such acts may
consist of any one or more of the following:
 2. Threats to inflict a wrong upon the person, honor or property of the person or on his or
her family;

3. Stalking or constantly following or pursuing a person in his or her daily activities, with
unwanted and obsessive attention;

4. Taking of property;

5. Public humiliation, or public and malicious imputation of a crime or of a vice or defect,

whether real or imaginary, or any act, omission, condition, status, or
circumstance tending to cause dishonor, discredit or expose a person to contempt;

6. Deliberate destruction or defacement of, or damage to the child's property;

7. Physical violence committed upon a student, which may or may not result to harm or
injury, with or without the aid of a weapon. Such violence may be in the form of mauling,
hitting, punching, kicking, throwing things at the student, pinching, spanking, or other
similar acts;

8. Demanding or requiring sexual or monetary favors, or exacting money or property, from

a pupil or student; and

9. Restraining the liberty and freedom of a pupil or student.

Cyber-bullying - is any conduct defined in the preceding paragraph, as resulting in

harassment, intimidation, or humiliation, through electronic means or other technology,
such as, but not limited to texting, email, instant messaging, chatting, internet, social
networking websites or other platforms or formats.

Other acts of abuse by a pupil, student or learner”- refers to other serious acts of abuse
committed by a pupil, student or learner upon another pupil, student or learner of the same
school, not falling under the definition of 'bullying' in the preceding provisions, including but not
limited to acts of a physical, sexual or psychological nature.

Corporal Punishment" - refers to a kind of punishment or penalty imposed for an alleged or

actual offense, which is carried out or inflicted, for the purpose of discipline, training or control,
by a teacher, school administrator, an adult, or any other child who has been given or has
assumed authority or responsibility for punishment or discipline. It includes physical,
humiliating or degrading punishment, including, but not limited to the following:

A. Blows such as, but not limited to, beating, kicking, hitting, slapping, or lashing, of any
part of a child's body, with or without the use of an instrument such as, but not limited to
a cane, broom, stick, whip or belt;

B. Striking of a child's face or head, such being declared as a "no contact zone";

C. Pulling hair, shaking, twisting joints, cutting or piercing skin, dragging, pushing or
throwing of a child;
 D. Forcing a child to perform physically painful or damaging acts such as, but not limited
to, holding a weight or weights for an extended period and kneeling on stones, salt,
pebbles or other objects;

E. Deprivation of a child's physical needs as a form of punishment;

F. Deliberate exposure to fire, ice, water, smoke, sunlight, rain, pepper, alcohol, or forcing
the child to swallow substances, dangerous chemicals, and other materials that can
cause discomfort or threaten the child's health, safety
and sense of security such as, but not limited to bleach or insecticides, excrement or
urine;

G. Tying up a child;

H. Confinement, imprisonment or depriving the liberty of a child;

I. Verbal abuse or assaults, including intimidation or threat of bodily harm, swearing or

cursing, ridiculing or denigrating the child;

J. Forcing a child to wear a sign, to undress or disrobe, or to put on anything that will make
a child look or feel foolish, which belittles or humiliates the child in front of others;

K. Permanent confiscation of personal property of pupils, students or learners, except

when such pieces of property pose a danger to the child or to others; and

L. Other analogous acts.

VI. LINKS WITH OTHER SCHOOL POLICIES

This school had formulated its Anti- Bullying Policies in consonance with the prevailing
policies/ guidelines on the conduct of pupils’ disciplinary measures and preventive ways, and
unbiased investigation processes of the following links:

Pastoral Care; Child Protection Policy; R.A. 10627; Positive Behavior/ Discipline Policy;
Classroom Management

VII. PARTICIPATION & CONSULTATION PROCESS

1. Draft a school child protection policy with a code of conduct and a plan to ensure child
protection and safety, which shall be reviewed every three (3) years. The template for
the school child protection policy is attached as Annex "C";

2. Initiate information dissemination programs and organize activities for the protection of
children from abuse, exploitation, violence, discrimination and bullying or peer
abuse;

3. Develop and implement a school-based referral and monitoring system. The template
for the referral system is attached as Annex "D";
 4. Establish a system for identifying students who may be suffering from significant harm
based on any physical, emotional or behavioral signs;

5. Identify, refer and, if appropriate, report to the appropriate offices cases involving child
abuse, exploitation, violence, discrimination and bullying;

6. Give assistance to parents or guardians, whenever necessary in securing expert

guidance counseling from the appropriate offices or institutions;

7. Coordinate closely with the Women and Child Protection Desks of the Philippine
National Police (PNP), the Local Social Welfare and Development Office (LSWDO),
other government agencies, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), as may be
appropriate;

8. Monitor the implementation of positive measures and effective procedures in providing

the necessary support for the child and for those who care for the child; and

9. Ensure that the children's right to be heard are respected and upheld in all matters and
procedures affecting their welfare.

VIII. RESPONSIBILITIES OF ALL STAKEHOLDERS

The Responsibilities of Staff

Article 218 of the Family Code of the Philippines provides the following responsibilities of school
administrators, teachers, academic and non- academic and other personnel:

A. Exercise special parental authority and responsibility over the child while under their
supervision, instruction and custody. Authority and responsibility shall apply to all authorized
activities whether inside or outside the premises of the school, entity or institution.

The Responsibilities of Pupils

Pupils, students and learners shall have the following duties and responsibilities:

A. Comply with the school's regulations, as long as they are in harmony with their best interests.
Pupils, students and learners shall refrain from:

i. Engaging in discrimination, or leading a group of pupils or students to discriminate

another, with reference to one's physical appearance, weaknesses and status of any
sort;

ii. Doing any act that is inappropriate or sexually provocative;

iii. Participating in behavior of other students that is illegal, unsafe or abusive;

iv. Marking or damaging school property, including books, in any way;

v. Engaging in fights or any aggressive behavior;

 vi. Introducing into the school premises or otherwise possessing prohibited articles, such
as deadly weapons, drugs, alcohol, toxic and noxious substances, cigarettes and
pornographic material; and

vii. Performing other similar acts that cause damage or injury to another.

An allegation that any of these acts has been committed shall not be used to curtail the child's
basic rights, or interpreted to defeat the objectives of this Department Order.

B. Conduct themselves in accordance with their levels of development, maturity, and

demonstrated capabilities, with a proper regard for the rights and welfare of other
persons;

C. Respect another person's rights regardless of opinion, status, gender, ethnicity, religion, as
well as everyone's moral and physical integrity; and

D. Observe the Code of Conduct for pupils, students and learners.

The Responsibilities of Parents

Articles 220 and 233 of the Family Code of the Philippines, Presidential Decree No. 603, and other
related laws enumerated the following duties and responsibilities of the abovementioned persons
and personnel over the children under their supervision, instruction and custody:

B. Keep them in their company and support, educate and instruct them by right precept and good
example;

C. Give them love and affection, advice and counsel, companionship and understanding;

D. Enhance, protect, preserve and maintain their physical and mental health at all times;

E. Furnish them with good and wholesome educational materials, supervise their activities,
recreation and association with others, protect them from bad company and prevent them from
acquiring habits detrimental to their health, studies and morals;

F. Represent them in all matters affecting their interests;

G. Inculcate the value of respect and obedience;

H. Practice positive and non-violent discipline, as may be required under the circumstances;
provided, that in no case shall corporal punishment be inflicted upon them;

I. Perform such other duties as are imposed by law upon them, as substitute parents or
guardians; and

J. School personnel shall also strictly comply with the school's child protection policy.

The Responsibility of All

Work together to combat and hopefully in time, to eradicate bullying.

IX. PREVENTIVE MEASURE

 A complaint for bullying or peer abuse shall be acted upon by the School Head following the
procedures herein set forth:

a. Bullying - Upon the filing of a complaint or upon notice by a school personnel or official
of any bullying or peer abuse incident, the same shall be immediately reported to the
School Head, who shall inform the parents or guardian of the victim and the offending
child, in a meeting called for the purpose. The victim and the offending child shall be
referred to the Child Protection Committee for counseling and other interventions. The
penalty of reprimand, if warranted, may be imposed by the School Head in the presence
of the parents or guardians.

If bullying is committed for a second or subsequent time, after the offending child has received
counseling or other interventions, the penalty of suspension for not more than one (1) week may be
imposed by the School Head, if such is warranted. During the period of suspension, the offending
child and the parents or guardians may be required to attend further seminars and counseling. The
School Head shall likewise ensure that the appropriate interventions, counseling and other services,
are provided for the victim or victims of bullying.

a. Bullying that results in serious physical injuries or death – If the bullying or peer
abuse resulted in serious physical injuries or death, whenever appropriate, the case
shall be dealt with in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act 9344 and its
Implementing Rules and Regulations.

b. Procedure - In all cases where the imposable penalty on the offending child is
suspension, exclusion or expulsion, the following minimum requirements of due process
shall be complied with:

1) The child and the parents or guardians must be informed of the complaint in
writing;

2) The child shall be given the opportunity to answer the complaint in writing, with
the assistance of the parents or guardian;

3) The decision of the school head must be in writing, stating the facts and the
reasons for the decision;

The decision of the school head may be appealed, as provided in existing rules of the
Department.

X. PROCEDURE FOR DEALING WITH INCIDENTS OF BULLYING BEHAVIOR

Prohibited Acts

The following acts, as defined in Section 3 of this Order, are hereby prohibited and shall be
penalized in administrative proceedings as Grave or Simple Misconduct depending on the gravity of
the act and its consequences, under existing laws, rules and regulations:

1. Child abuse;

2. Discrimination against children;

 3. Child Exploitation ;

4. Violence Against Children in School;

5. Corporal Punishment;

6. Any analogous or similar acts.

Investigation and Reporting.The conduct of investigation and reporting of cases of child abuse,
exploitation, violence or discrimination, shall be done expeditiously, as herein provided.

A. The School Head or the Schools Division Superintendent, upon receipt of the
Complaint, shall forward the same, within forty-eight (48) hours, to the Disciplining
Authority, who shall then issue an Order for the conduct of a fact-finding investigation,
not later than seventy-two (72) hours from submission.

These periods shall be strictly observed, except when justified by circumstances beyond their
control; Provided, that, if the person complained of is a non-teaching personnel, the Schools Division
Superintendent shall cause the conduct of a fact-finding investigation within the same period.

If a complaint is not sufficient in form, the concerned School Head, Schools Division
Superintendent, or Disciplining Authority shall immediately inform the complainant of the
requirements of a formal complaint. Upon the filing of the formal complaint, the same shall be acted
upon pursuant to the preceding paragraphs.

A. The conduct of a fact-finding investigation shall be in accordance with the Revised

Rules of Procedure of the Department of Education in Administrative Cases. Pending
investigation, upon referral of the School Principal or Guidance Counselor/Teacher, the
Local Social Welfare and Development Officer (LSWDO) of the concerned local
government unit shall assess the child and provide psycho- social intervention to help
the child victim recover from whatever trauma he or she has experienced as a result of
the abuse. The offender shall likewise undergo psycho-social intervention, if such is
warranted.

B. If a complaint is not sufficient in form, the concerned School Head, Schools Division
Superintendent, or Disciplining Authority shall immediately inform the complainant of the
requirements of a formal complaint. Upon the filing of the formal complaint, the same
shall be acted upon pursuant to the preceding paragraphs.

C. The conduct of a fact-finding investigation shall be in accordance with the Revised

Rules of Procedure of the Department of Education in Administrative Cases. Pending
investigation, upon referral of the School Principal or Guidance Counselor/Teacher, the
Local Social Welfare and Development Officer (LSWDO) of the concerned local
government unit shall assess the child and provide psycho- social intervention to help
the child victim recover from whatever trauma he or she has experienced as a result of
the abuse. The offender shall likewise undergo psycho-social intervention, if such is
warranted.
 If a prima facie case exists based on the Investigation Report and the records, a Formal
Charge shall be issued by the Disciplining Authority, which may be the basis for the issuance of an
Order of Preventive Suspension or as an alternative, reassignment of the offending party, as may be
warranted. The respondent may be placed under preventive suspension pending investigation, for a
period of ninety (90) days, if the injury or abuse committed against a child is so grave, as to render
the child unable to attend his or her classes. The respondent may also be preventively suspended to
preclude the possibility of influencing or intimidating witnesses. 

The respondent may file a Motion for Reconsideration with the Disciplining Authority or may
elevate the same to the Civil Service Commission by way of an Appeal within fifteen (15) days from
receipt thereof.

D. The Revised Rules of Procedure of the Department of Education in Administrative

Cases shall apply in all other aspects.

E. A complaint for education-related sexual harassment as defined under Resolution No.

01-0940 of the Civil Service Commission, must be in writing, signed and worn to by the
complainant. It shall contain the following:
1. the full name and address of the complainant;
2. the full name, address, and position of the respondent;
3. a brief statement of the relevant facts;
4. evidence, in support of the complainant, if any;
5. a certification of non-forum shopping.
E.1.The Complaint shall be referred to the Committee on Decorum and Investigation. Upon
receipt of the complaint, the Committee shall require the person complained of to submit his or
her Counter-Affidavit/Comment, which shall be under oath, not later than three (3) days from
receipt of the notice, furnishing the complainant a copy thereof, otherwise the Counter-Affidavit
or Comment shall be considered as not filed.
E.2. The procedure for the conduct of an investigation and all other related incidents, shall be
in accordance with the rules under Resolution No. 01-0940 of the Civil Service Commission;
Provided, that, if the respondent is a teacher, the composition of the Formal Investigating
Committee shall be in accordance with
Section 9 of R.A. 4670.
F.The Regional Directors shall periodically monitor and keep a record of all reported child
abuse cases, and submit a final consolidated regional report (Annex "A) to the Office of
the Undersecretary for Legal and Legislative Affairs and the
Undersecretary for Regional Operations.
G. Failure to submit an incident report or to render a decision involving the case within the
prescribed period, without justifiable cause, shall be a ground for administrative action for
neglect of duty against the responsible official.
H. The Office of the Undersecretary for Legal and Legislative Affairs shall compile the
regional reports and submit an annual report to the Secretary.

XI. CONTINUOUS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF STAFF

Capacity Building of School Officials, Personnel, Parents and Students

All public and private elementary and secondary schools shall build the capacities of school
personnel, pupils, students and learners, parents and guardians to understand and deal with child
abuse, exploitation, violence and discrimination cases, bullying and peer violence by conducting
sessions, trainings and seminars on positive peer relationships and enhancement of social and
emotional competence.

They shall use training modules which include positive and non-violent discipline in classroom
management, anger and stress management and gender sensitivity. They shall likewise employ
means which enhance the skills and pedagogy in integrating and teaching children's rights in the
classroom.

The programs that are intended to promote Positive and Non-Violent Discipline include, but are
not limited to, the following:

Integration of education sessions on corporal punishment and positive discipline in the initiatives of
the Parent-Teachers Associations (PTAs);

1. Capacity-building programs for school administrators, teachers and non-academic

personnel focused on children's rights, child development and positive and nonviolent
approaches in teaching and classroom management, to enable them to incorporate
positive discipline messages in parent-teacher conferences and family counseling, and
integrate messages on children's rights and corporal punishment in classroom
discussions;

2. Encouraging and supporting the formation and initiatives of support groups among
teaching and non-teaching staff, and parents and caregivers;

3. Implementing specific parenting orientation sessions with parents and caregivers and
other activities;

4. Implementing school activities or events that raise awareness on children's rights,

corporal punishment and positive discipline, fostering the active involvement of and
providing venues for bringing together parents, families and children;

5. Encouraging and supporting student-led initiatives to raise awareness on children's

rights, corporal punishment and positive discipline; and

6. Setting up child-friendly mechanisms for obtaining children's views and participation in

the formulation, monitoring and assessment of school rules and policies related to
student discipline.

XII. MONITORING AND REVIEW

The Intake Sheets will be forwarded to the DepEd DivisionOffice

The DepEd Division Office will consolidate the reports onincidents and cases of all
schools and submit a DivisionReport to the Regional Office.
The DepEd Regional Office will consolidate the reports onincidents and cases of the
Division Offices within theRegion and submit a Regional Report to the Undersecretary
for Legal and Legislative Affair.
The Central Office will be the Central Repository ofRegional Reports

XII. SIGNATURE/DATE

MAY B. CALANG
SPG President

KENNETH WINSTON D. MORANO

SPG Adviser

BELMA M. PRISCO
School Head
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Caraga Administrative Region
DIVISION OF AGUSAN DEL NORTE
Jabonga District II

CUYAGO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

School
Anti- Bullying
Policy