Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
REGION XII-SOCCSKSARGEN
Division of Cotabato
Banisilan North District
TUMBAO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Tumbao-Camalig, Banisilan, Cotabato

SCHOOL-BASED CHILD
PROTECTION &
ANTI-BULLYING POLICY

Submitted by:

LLOYD H. MAGDALUYO
School Head
 CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

Pursuant to Republic Act No. 10627 and its Implementing Rules, and Section 7 of DepEd Order
No. 40, S. 2012, the Child Protection Committee of TUMBAO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL hereby
institutes and adopts the following Child Protection Policy.

This document is designed to provide guidance to the members of the School Child Protection
Committee and Stakeholders in the development, establishment and implementation of
policies, procedures and programs for the prevention and intervention of bullying behavior in
school.

Article 1 – General Provisions

Section 1. Title and Coverage of Application.

These rules shall be known as the “Child Protection Policy of Tumbao Elementary
School” and shall apply to all learners, teachers and personnel of Tumbao Elementary School
in connection with the cases of bullying and all forms of child abuse committed inside the
premises of TUMBAO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL or in the occasion of its authorized activities.

Section 2. Statement of Underlying Principles and Goals

Pursuant to the 1987 Constitution, the state shall defend the right of children to
assistance, including proper care and nutrition, and special protection from all forms of neglect,
abuse, cruelty, exploitation and other conditions prejudicial to their development (Article XV,
Section 3.

The constitution further provides that all educational institutions shall inculcate
patriotism and nationalism, foster love of humanity, respect for human rights, appreciation of
the role of national heroes in the historical development of the country, teach the rights and
duties of citizenship, strengthen ethical and spiritual values, develop moral character and
personal discipline, encourage critical and creative thinking, broaden scientific and
technological knowledge, and promote vocational efficiency. ( Article XIV, Section 3).

The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) aims to protect children from all forms
of physical or mental violence, injury and abuse, neglect or negligent treatment, maltreatment
and exploitation, including sexual abuse. The same convention establishes the right of the child
to education, and with a view to achieving this right progressively, and on the basis of equal
opportunity, it obliges the government to take measures to encourage regular attendance in
school and reduce dropout rates. Thus, it is mandated that all appropriate measures be
undertaken that school discipline is administered in a manner consistent with the child’s human
dignity, and in conformity with the CRC.

Towards this end, Tumbao Elementary School, in collaboration with its local partners
and stakeholders, shall ensure that all classes are conducive to the education of children. The
best interest of the child shall be the paramount consideration in all decisions and actions
involving children, as enunciated in the CRC. Teachers and learning facilitators especially in the
classrooms are their substitute parents, and are expected to discharge their functions and
duties with this in mind. In this connection, the Family Code empowers the school, its
administrators and teachers, or the individual, entity or institution engaged in child care to
exercise the special parental authority and responsibility over the child, while under their
supervision, instruction or custody.

Tumbao Elementary School recognizes that cases of abuse may arise as a result of
difficult situations faced by teachers and other officials within and outside school.
 The school has adopted DepEd Memo No. 40 Series of 2012 known as the Child
Protection Policy to provide special protection to 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.

Furthermore, this school aims to ensure 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 parents, legal guardians, or other individuals who are legally
responsible and exercise custody over the child. This school recognizes the participatory rights
of the child in the formulation and implementation of policies, and in all proceedings affecting
them, whether they be victims or aggressors, either directly, or through a representative.

Section 3.Definition of Terms.

As used herein, the following terms are defined . . .

a. Bullying – means overt, unwanted, or repeated act or gestures, including verbal or

written communications or images transmitted in any manner (including digitally or
electronically), physical acts committed, aggression, or any other behaviors that are
committed by a pupil or group of pupils against another pupil with the intent to harass,
ridicule, humiliate, intimidate, or harm the other targeted pupil and create for the
targeted pupil an objectively hostile school environment that places the targeted pupil
in reasonable fear or harm to his person and property; has a substantially detrimental
effect on the targeted pupil’s physical or mental health; has the effect of substantially
interfering with the targeted pupil’s academic performance; or has the effect of
substantially interfering with the targeted pupil’s ability to participate in or benefit from
the services, activities and privileges provided by the school.

Bullying can include:

Physical Bullying – involves hurting a person’s body or possessions. It includes hitting,

kicking, punching, spitting, tripping or pushing, taking or breaking someone’s things, and
making mean or rude hand gestures.

Verbal Bullying – involves saying mean things. It can include teasing, name-calling,
inappropriate sexual comments, taunting or threatening to cause harm.

Social / Relational Bullying – involves hurting someone’s reputation or relationships.

Social bullying involves telling other children not to be friends with someone, leaving
someone out on purpose, spreading rumors about someone, or embarrassing someone
in public.

Electronic / Written Communication – involves cyber bullying, collective or group note

writing, any bullying undertaken through the use of electronic devices (Computer,
cellphones).

b. Bully – refers to any pupil who commits act of bullying.

c. Bullied or Victim – refers to any pupil who experiences the acts of bullying or
retaliation.

d. Bystander - refers to any person who witnesses or has personal knowledge of any
actual or perceived acts or incidents of bullying or retaliation.

e. Child Abuse – refers to the maltreatment, whether habitual or not, of the child which
includes any of the following:
 1. Psychological and physical abuse, neglect, cruelty, sexual abuse and emotional
maltreatment.
2. Any act by deeds or words which debases, degrades or demeans the intrinsic worth
and dignity of a child as a human being.
3. Unreasonable deprivation of his basic needs for survival, such as food or shelter; or
4. Failure to immediately give medical treatment to an injured child resulting in serious
impairment of his growth and development or in his permanent incapacity or death.

f. Child – refers to a person below 18 years of age but, upon evaluation of qualified
physician, psychologist or psychiatrist, are found to be unable to fully take care of
themselves from abuse, neglect, cruelty, exploitation or discrimination because of a
physical or mental ability or condition, for purposes of this CCP, the term also includes
pupils or students who may be eighteen (18) years of age or older but are in school.

g. Cruelty – refers to any act by deeds or words which debases, degrades or demeans the
intrinsic worth and dignity of a child as a human being. Discipline administered by a
school personnel to a student shall not constitute cruelty provided it is reasonable in
manner and moderate in degree and does not constitute physical or psychological injury
as defined herein;

h. Physical injury – includes but not limited to lacerations, fractured bones, burns, internal
injuries, severe injury, or serious bodily harm suffered by a child.

i. Psychological injury – means harm to the child’s psychological or intellectual

functioning which may be exhibited by severe anxiety, depression, withdrawal, or
outward aggressive behavior, or a combination of said behaviors, which may be
demonstrated by a change of behavior, emotional response or cognition.

j. Neglect – means unreasonable failure to provide the child of his basic needs for survival
such as food, clothing, shelter, basic education or medical care so as to seriously
endanger the physical, mental, social and emotional growth and development of the
child.

k. Sexual abuse – includes the employment of, use, persuasion, inducement, enticement,
or coercion of a child to engage in, or assist another person to engage in sexual
intercourse or lascivious conduct or molestation, prostitution, or incest with children.

l. Lascivious conduct – means intentional touching, either directly or through clothing of

the genitalia, anus, groin, breast, inner thigh, or buttocks, or the introduction of any
object into the genitalia, anus or mouth of any person, whether of the same or opposite
sex, with an intent to abuse, humiliate, harass, degrade, or arouse or gratify the sexual
desire of any person, bestially, masturbation, lascivious exhibition of the genitals or
pubic area of a person.

m. Exploitation – means the hiring, employment, persuasion, inducement or coercion of a

child to perform in obscene exhibitions and indecent shows, whether live or in video or
film, or to pose or act as a model in obscene publications or pornographic materials, or
to sell or distribute said materials.

n. Learning Center – refers to learning sources and facilities of a learning program for out-
of-school youths and adults as defined in DepEd Order No. 43 S. 2013.

o. Service Provider – refers to any person who is not a teacher or school personnel but
who works in the school, such as but not limited to, security guards, canteen personnel,
utility workers and transportation service personnel.
 p. student – refers to a person who attends classes in any level of basic education, and
includes a pupil or a learner as defined in DepEd Order No. 40 s. 2012.

Article 2 – Child Protection Committee and its Functions

Section 4. Composition – The Child Protection Committee ( CPC ) of the school as per D.O. No.
40 s. 2012 and the IRR of the Anti-Bullying Act shall be composed of the following:

Chairperson : LLOYD H. MAGDALUYO, – School Head

Vice Chairperson : TEOFISTO D. BEONISTA JR. – Guidance Counselor Designate

Members
: Delfa D. Boral – Teacher’s Association President
: Roxanne C. Lastino – PTA President
: Princess Kylie P. Sabobo – SPG President
: Fema D. Barreto– BCPC Representative

Section 5. First Meeting and Term of Office – The CPC shall be convened by the principal within
15 days from the start of each school year and shall serve as such until their successors shall
have been constituted.

Section 6. Functions of CPC - The CPC shall perform the following functions:

a. To draft and update the School Child Protection Policy with a policy on anti-bullying
which shall be reviewed every three (3) years;
b. To initiate and conduct information dissemination and awareness-raising programs
with school stakeholders in preventing and addressing bullying, abuse, exploitation,
violence, and discrimination, and organize preventive activities;
c. To ensure that the Child Protection Policy with anti-bullying policy adopted by the
school is implemented;
d. To monitor all cases or incidents related to bullying and child abuse reported or
referred by the teacher, guidance counselor or coordinator or any person
designated to handle prevention and intervention measures;
e. To develop and implement a school-based referral and monitoring system;
f. To establish a system for identifying students who may be suffering from significant
harm based on any physical, emotional or behavioral signs;
g. To identify, refer and, if appropriate, report to appropriate offices cases involving
child abuse, exploitation, violence, discrimination and bullying;
h. To give assistance to parents or guardians, whenever necessary in securing expert
guidance from the appropriate offices or institutions;
i. To coordinate closely with the Women and Child Protection Desks of the Philippine
National Police (PNP), the Local Social Welfare Development Office (LSWDO), other
government agencies and non-government organizations (NGOs), as may be
appropriate;
j. To 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
k. To ensure that the children’s right to be heard are respected and upheld in all
matters and procedures affecting their welfare.

Section 7. Meetings of CPC – The CPC shall meet once in a month to conduct its regular
meeting on the date, time and place fixed by the members and may hold special meetings in
the exigency of service upon the call of its chairman or by majority of its members.

Article 3. Duties and Responsibilities

Section 8. Duties of School Principal – The School Principal shall have the following duties and
responsibilities:

a. Ensure the institution and adoption by the school of effective child protection
policies and procedures, and submit the same to the division Office. She shall also
submit to the Division Office within the first week of each school year a report on
relevant information and statistics on bullying, retaliation and child abuse from the
preceding school year.
b. Implement and monitor compliance of the CPP;
c. Ensure that all pupils, school personnel,, parents, guardians or custodians, and
visitors and guests are made aware of School Child Protection Policy;
d. Organize and convene the Child Protection Policy Committee for the school within
15 days from the start of every school year;
e. Conduct capacity building activities for the members of Child Protection Committee
and Guidance Counselor/Teachers, preferably during summer and the beginning of
the school year;
f. Conduct disciplinary proceedings in cases of offenses committed by learners;
g. Provide pupils and their parents or guardians a copy of the Child Protection Policy
adopted by the school. Such policy shall likewise be included in the school’s
Pupils’/Employees’ Handbook and shall be conspicuously posted on the school walls
and website if there is any;
h. Educate pupils on the dynamics of bullying, the anti-bullying policies of the school as
well as the mechanisms for the anonymous reporting of acts of bullying or
retaliation;
i. Educate parents and guardians about the dynamics of bullying, the child protection
or anti-bullying policy of the school and how parents and guardians can provide
support and reinforce the said policy at home;
j. Devise prevention, intervention, protective and remedial measures to address
bullying;
k. Ensure the safety of the victim of bullying, the bully, and the bystander and
determine the pupils’ needs for protection;
l. Ensure that the rights of the victim, the bully,and the bystander are protected and
upheld during the conduct of the investigation;
m. Accomplish the prescribed Intake Sheet, whenever there is an incident of bullying,
maintain a record of all proceedings related to bullying, and submit reports
prescribed in “Annex A” of DepEd Order # 40,S. 2012, to the Division Office;
n. Maintain public record or statistics of incidents of bullying and retaliation;
o. Coordinate with appropriate offices and other agencies or instrumentalities for
appropriate assistance and intervention, as required by the circumstances;
p. The school principal or any person who holds a comparable role shall be responsible
for the implementation and oversight of the child-protection or anti-bullying policy;
q. To provide allocation from the MOOE for the implementation of Child Protection
program as mandated by DepEd Order No. 40,s. 2012.

Section 9. Duties and Responsibilities of School Personnel – Teachers and other school
personnel shall:

a. Participate and cooperate in all prevention, intervention and other measures related
to bullying implemented by the school;
b. Report to school authorities any incident of bullying; and
c. 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;
d. Keep the pupils in their company and support, educate and instruct them by right
precepts and good example;
e. Give the students love and affection, advice and counsel, companionship and
understanding;
 f. Enhance, protect, preserve and maintain the pupil’s physical and mental health at
all times;
g. Furnish the learners 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;
h. Represent the pupils in all matters affecting their interests;
i. Inculcate the value of respect and obedience;
j. Practice positive and non-violent discipline as may be required under the
circumstances; provided, that in no case shall corporal punishment be inflicted upon
the pupils;
k. Perform such other duties as are imposed by law upon them, as substitute parents
or guardians; and
l. School personnel shall also strictly comply with the school’s child protection policy.

Section 10.Duties and Responsibilities of PTA/Parents – The PTA/parents shall:

a. Participate and cooperate in all prevention, intervention and other measures related
to bullying implemented by the school;
b. Report to school authorities any incident of bullying; and
c. 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;
d. Keep the pupils in their company and support, educate and instruct them by right
precept and good example;
e. Give the pupils love and affection, advice and counsel, companionship and
understanding;
f. Enhance, protect, preserve and maintain the pupils’ physical and mental health at all
times;
g. Furnish the learners 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;
h. Represent the pupils in all matters affecting their interests;
i. Inculcate the value of respect and obedience;
j. Practice positive and non-violent discipline, as may be required under the
circumstances, provided, that in no case shall corporal punishment be inflicted upon
the pupils;
k. Perform such other duties as are imposed by law upon them, as substitute parents
or guardians; and
l. School personnel shall also strictly comply with the School’s Child protection Policy.

Section 10. Duties and Responsibilities of Students and Learners-The students or learners
shall:

a.Participate and cooperate in all prevention, intervention and other measures related to
bullying implemented by the school;
b. Avoid or refrain from any act of bullying;
c. Intervene to protect the victim, unless it will jeopardize his safety and security; and
d. Report to school authorities any incidentof bullying and child abuse.
e. Conduct themselves in accordance with their levels of development, maturity, and
demostrated capabilities, with a proper regard for the rights and welfare of other persons;
f. Respect another person’s right regardless of opinion, status, gender, ethnicity, religion, as
well as everyone’s moral and physical integrety; and
g. Observe the Code of Conduct for pupils as embodied in the School’s policy.
h. Comply with the school’s regulation, 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 agressive 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 materials; 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 Child Protection Policy

Article 4-
Specific Prohibited Acts

Section 11. Prohibited Acts. A.) The following acts, as defined in Section 3 of D.O No. 40, are
hereby prohibited and shallbe 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 Schoool;
5. Corporal Punishment;
6. Any analogous or similar acts.

b.) Consistent with Section 3 of the Anti-Bullying Act, the following shall also be prohibited:
1. Bullying at the following:
a. School grounds;
b. Properly immediately adjacent to school grounds;
c. School-sponsored or school-related activities, functions or programs whetheron or off
school grounds;
d. School bus stops;
e. School buses or other vehicles owned, leased or used by a school;
f. School buses or school services provately-owned but accredited by the school.
2. Bullying through the use of technology or anelectronic device or other forms of media
owned, leased or used by a school.
3. Bullying at a location, activity, function or program that is not school-related and through the
use of technology or an electonic device or other forms of media that is not owned, leased or
used by a school; and
4. Retaliation against a pesrson who reports bullying, who provides information during an
investigation of bullying, or who is a witness to or has reliable information about bullying.

Article 5-Preventive Measures

Section 12. Building Capacities of School Personnel/Parents.-The school shall build the
capabilities of school personnel, parents and guardians and other stakeholders to understand
and deal with child abuse, exploitation, violence and discrimination cases, and on bullying by
conducting sessions, trainings and seminars on positive peer relationships and enhancement of
social and emotional competence by using training modules which include positive and non-
violent discipline in classroom management, anger and stress management and gender
sensitivity. The programs that are intended to promotePositive and Non-Violent Discipline
include, but are not limited to, the following:
Integration of education sessions on corporal punishment ans positive discipline in the
initiatives of the Parent-Teachers Association (PTA).

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

focused on children’s rights, child development and positive discipline messages in parent-
teacher conferences and family conselling, and integrate messages on children’s rights and
corporal punishment in classroom discussions;

Encouraging and supporting the formation and initiativesof support groups among teachingand
non-teaching staff, and parents and caregivers;
Implementing specific parenting orientation sessions with parents and caregiviersand other
activities;

Implementing school activitiesor events that raiseawareness on children’srightd, corporal

punishment ans positive discipline; and
Setting upchild-friendly mechanisms for obtaining children’s view and participation int eh
formulation, monitoring and assessment of school rulesand policiesrelated to student
discipline.

Section 13. Pupil’s Orientation on Child Abuse and Bullying- The school, spearhed by the
SPG, in coordination with the CPC, shall conduct prevention programs to all students regarding
child abuse and bullying.

Article 6-Procedures in Handling Child Abuse, Exploitation, Violence and Discrimination Cases

Section 14. Investigation and Reporting of child abuse commmited by teachers and
other school personnel. The conduct of investigation and reporting of cases of child abuse,
exploitatio, violence or discrimination, shall be done expeditiously, as herein provided.

a. The School Head, upon receipt of the Complaint, shall forward the same, within firty-
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 justifies by
circumstances beyond their control; Provided, that, if the person complainedof is a non-
teaching personnel, the Schoos Division Superintendent shall cause the conduct of a
fact-finding investigation within the same period.
b. If a complaint is not sufficient in form, the concerned School Head or Disciplining
Authority shall immediately inform the complainant of the requirements of a formal
complaint. Upon the filling of the formal complaint, the same shall be acted upon
pursuant to the preceeding 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
governement unit shall asses 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.
d. If prima facie case exists based on the Investigation Report and the records, a Formal
Change 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 tender the child unable to attend his or her
classes. The respondent may also be preventively suspended to preclude the possibility
or influencing or intimidating witnesses.
 e. The respondent may file a Motion for Reconsideration with the Disciplining Authority or

f. may elevate the same to the Civil Service Commission by way of an Appeal within fifteen
(15) days from receipt thereof.

g. The Revised Rules of Procedure of the Department of Education in administrative Cases

h. shall apply in all other aspects.

i. 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 sworn 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.

j. The Complaint shall be referred to the Committee on Decorum and Investigation. Upon
receipt of the complaint, the committee shall inquire 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.

k. The procedure for the conduct of an investigation and all other related incidents, shall
be in accordance with 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 A.A. 4670.

Failure to submit an incident report or to render a decision involving the case within the
prescribed period, without justifiable cause, shall a ground for administrative action for
neglect of duty against the responsible official.

Section 15. Jurisdiction. Complaints of child abuse, violence, discrimination, exploitation and
other acts of abuse under this CPP shall be within the exclusive jurisdiction of the School or
DepEd, and shall not be brought for amicable settlement before the Barangay, subject to
existing laws, rules and regulations. Complaints for acts committed by persons not under the
jurisdiction of the Disciplinary Authority of the DepEd shall be referred to the appropriate
authorities.

Sectin 16. Confidentiality. In child abuse, violence, discrimination, exploitation, bullying or peer
abuse and other acts of abuse by a pupil, student or learners, the identity or other information
that may reasonably identify the pupil, student or learner, whether victim or offender, shall be
withheld from the public to protect his or her privacy.On the other hand, the Magna Carta for
Public School teachers protects the rights of teachers and no publicity shall be given to any
disciplinary action against a teacher during the pendency of his or her case.

Section 17. Criminal and Civil Liability. Criminal and civil liability arising from child abuse,
discrimination, exploitation, and other acts of abuse are separate and distinct, and shall not be
a bar to the filling of an administrative case under these guidelines.

Article 7 – Procedures in Handling Bullying Incidents in School

 Section 18.Jurisdiction –Complaints of bullying shall be within the exclusive jurisdiction of the
school and shall not be brought for amicable settlement before the Barangay, subject to
existing laws, rules and regulations. Complaints for acts covered by other laws shall be referred
to the appropriate authorities.

Section 19.Procedures.

A. Immediate Responses
1. The victim or anyone who witnesses or has personal knowledge of a bullying incident or
retaliation shall immediately call the attention of any school personnel within the same
day that they have observed or became aware of an alleged incident of bullying.
2. The School Personnel who was notified of a bullying incident or retaliation shall
intervene by, by:
a. Stopping the bullying or retaliation immediately;;
b. Separating the pupils involved;
c. Removing the victim or, in appropriate cases, the bully or offending student,
from the site;
d. Ensuring the victim’s safety by:
i. Determining and addressing the victim’s immediate safety needs; and
ii. Ensuring medical attention, if needed, and securing a Medical Certificate,
in cases of physical injury.
iii. Bringing the bully to the School Principal or the designated school
personnel.

B. Reporting the Bullying Incident or retaliation

1. A victim or a bystander, or school personnel who receives information of a bullying
incident or retaliation, or any person who witnesses or has personal knowledge of any
incident or bullying or retaliation, , shall report the same to the teacher, Guidance
Counselor or any person designated to handle bullying incidents;
2. The bullying incident or retaliation shall be immediately reported to the School head.
The designated school personnel shall fill up the intake sheet as provided in DepEd
Order No. 40 s. 2012. The School Head or the designated personnel shall inform the
parent or guardian of the victim and the bully about the incident;
3. If an incident of bullying or retaliation involves pupils from more than one school, the
school that was first informed of the bullying or retaliation shall promptly notify the
appropriate administrator or School Head of the other school so that both schools may
take appropriate action.
4. Reports of incidents of bullying or retaliation initiated by persons who prefer anonymity
shall be entertained, and the person who reported the incident shall be afforded
protection from possible retaliation, provided, however, that no disciplinary
administrative action shall be taken against an alleged bully or offending pupil solely on
the basis of an anonymous report and without any other evidence.

C. Fact-Finding and Documentation

The Principal or Guidance Counselor/teacher or school personnel or person

designated to handle bullying incidents shall:

1. Separately interview in private the bully or offending pupil and the victim.
2. Determine the levels of threats and develop intervention strategies. If the
bullying incident or retaliation or the situation requires immediate attention or
intervention, or the level of threat is high, appropriate action shall be taken by
the school within twenty-four (24) hours from the time of the incident.
3. Inform the victim and the parents or guardian of the steps to be taken to prevent
further acts of bullying or retaliation; and
4. Make appropriate recommendations to the Child Protection Committee on
proper interventions, referrals and monitoring.
 5. The Investigating Staff member will complete the necessary bully incident report
form and maintain a record of the incident for mandated reporting.

D. Intervention

The CPC shall determine the appropriate intervention programs for the victim, the bully
and bystanders to promote the continuity of comprehensive anti-bullying policies. The
School Head shall ensure that these are provided to them. Intervention refers to a series
of activities which are designed to address the following:
a. Issues that influence the pupil to commit bullying;
b. Factors that make a student a target of bullying; and
c. Effects of bullying.

Interventions may include programs such as counseling, life skills training, education,
and other activities that will enhance the psychological, emotional and psycho-social
well-being of both the victim and the bully. Such programs may:
a. Involve activities that will address acts of bullying;
b. Emphasize formative and corrective measures rather than punishment;
c. Conform to principles of child protection and positive and non-violent discipline;
d. Help the victim, the bully, and the bystanders understand the bullying incident
and its negative consequences; and
e. Provide opportunities to practice pro-social behavior.

All schools shall develop intervention strategies involving all parties, such as bullies,
victims, bystanders, parents, school personnel, service providers and all other persons
who may be affected by the bullying incident.

E. Referral

The School Head or the Child Protection Committee may refer the victims and the bully
to trained professionals outside the school, such as social workers, guidance counselors,
psychologists, or child protection specialists, for further assessment and appropriate
intervention measures, as may be necessary. The school head or the designated school
personnel shall notify the Women and Children’s Protection Desk (WPCD) of the Local
Philippine National Police, if he believes that appropriate charges may be pursued
against the bully or offending student or if the nature of bullying incident rises to the
level of criminal offense.

Section 20. Disciplinary Measures

1. The school head, considering the nature, gravity or severity, previous incidents of
bullying or retaliation and attendant circumstances, may impose reasonable
disciplinary measures on the bully or offending student that is proportionate to the
act committed.
2. Written reprimand, community service, suspension, exclusion or expulsion in
accordance with existing rules and regulations of the school or the department for
public schools, may be imposed if the circumstances warrant the imposition of such
penalty, provided that the requirements of due process are complied with.
3. In addition to the disciplinary sanction, the bully shall also be required to undergo an
intervention program which shall be administered or supervised by the school’s
Child Protection Committee. The parents of the bully shall be encouraged to join the
intervention program.

Section 21.Due Process – In all cases where a penalty is imposed on the bully or offending
pupil, the following minimum requirement of due process shall be
 complied with:

1. The pupil and the parents or guardians shall be informed of the complaint in
writing;
2. The pupil 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 shall be in writing stating the facts and the
reasons for the decision; and
4. The decision of the school head may be appealed to the Division Office, as
provided in existing rules of the department.

Section 22. Applicability of RA 9344, as amended and other related laws

If the bullying incident or retaliation resulted in serious physical injuries or death, the
case shall be dealt with in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act 9344 or the “Juvenile
Justice and Welfare Act”, as amended, and its Implementing Rules and Regulations, in
connection with other applicable laws, as may be warranted by the circumstances attendant to
the bullying incident.

Section 23.False Accusation of Bullying- If the student, after an investigation, is found to have
knowingly made a false accusation of bullying, the said pupil shall be subjected to disciplinary
actions or to appropriate interventions in accordance with the existing rules and regulations of
the department.

Section 24.Confidentiality.

Any information relating to the identity and personal circumstances of the bully, victim,
or bystander, shall be treated with utmost confidentiality by the Child Protection committee
and the school personnel, provided, that the names may only be available to the School Head
teacher, or Guidance Counselor designated by the School Head, and parents or guardians of
pupils who are or have been victims of bullying or retaliation.

Any school personnel who commit a breach of confidentiality shall be subject to

appropriate administrative disciplinary action in accordance with the existing rules and
regulations of the department of Education without prejudice to any civil or criminal action.

Article 8 – System of Referral, Assessment and Monitoring of Victims and Offenders and
Other Children

Section 25.Referral System for Child Abuse Cases.

Cases of child abuse may be referred to the CPC, through the principal or
Guidance Counselor. The Guidance Counselor shall record and prepare the corresponding
Intake Sheet.

The pupil’s family shall be informed of any action taken. If the victim wants to pursue
the administrative case against the offender, the School Head shall advise him/her of the
procedure to be observed.

The principal may refer the victims and offenders to the DSWD for assessment and
determination of appropriate intervention.

The principal may also refer to DSWD other students or learners who are victims of
abuse at home, children-at-risk, children in especially difficult circumstances, children with
special needs or at risk, children facing difficult situations, or those who are exhibiting signs of
aggressive behavior, with a view of obtaining professional assessment, appropriate
interventions and assistance from competent service providers.
 The principal shall notify the Women and Children’s Protection Desk (WPCD) of the
Local Philippine national Police, if he believes that appropriate criminal charges may be pursued
against the offender.

Section 26. Referral System for Bullying Cases.

Bullying cases shall be handled in accordance with the procedures provided in Section
19 hereof.

Section 27. Role of Guidance Counselor.

The recording of all cases of child abuse and bullying and the preparation of Intake
Sheet and the initial intervention measures shall be undertaken by the Guidance Counselor,
who is responsible for informing the school Head of every reported bullying and child abuse
incident and for updating the CPC of the recorded or reported bullying cases and their status.
The CPC may be convened to determine the appropriate intervention programs.

Article 9 – Miscellaneous Provisions

Section 28.Positive and Non-Punitive Measures

The CPC shall conduct seminar or trainings or awareness campaign on the positive and
non-violent discipline to school personnel and parents.

Section 29.Effectivity. The CPC shall take effect immediately upon approval..

Ammended unanimously by the CPC during its Special Meeting on November 17, 2022
at Tumbao Elementary School, Banisilan, Cotabato.

LLOYD H. MAGDALUYO TEOFISTO D. BEONISTA JR.

School Head/Chairman Guidance Designate/Vice Chairman

DELFA D. BORAL ROXANNE C. LASTINO

TESTA Pres. / Member PTA President/Member

PRINCESS KYLIE P. SABOBO FEMA D. BARRETTO

SPG President/Member BLGU/BCPC Rep./ Member

REPORT FORM
Report of cases of abuse, violence, exploitation, discrimination, bullying or peer abuse and
other related offenses.

School: ________________________________
Period Covered: ________________________________
Person Submitting Report: ________________________________
Designation: __________________Date: ______________

I. INFORMATION

VICTIM:
Name: ______________________________
Date of Birth: ____________Age: ________ Sex: _______
Grade and Section: ______________ Adviser: ______________________

PARENTS:
Mother: ______________________________ Age: ________________
Occupation: __________________________ Contact No.: _________________
Address: __________________________________________________________
Father: ______________________________ Age: ________________
Occupation: __________________________ Contact No.: _________________
Address: __________________________________________________________

COMPLAINANT:
Name: _______________________________________________
Relationship to Victim: __________________________________
Address and Contact Number: __________________________________________

RESPONDENT:
If respondent is a School Personnel
Name: _________________________________________________
Date of Birth: ____________________ Age: ________ Sex: ___________
Address and Contact Number: ___________________________________

If respondent is a Student
Name: _________________________________________________
Date of Birth: ____________________ Age: ________ Sex: ___________
Grade and Section: __________________ Adviser: ______________________

PARENT/GUARDIAN:
Mother: ______________________________ Age: ________________
Occupation: __________________________
Address and Contact Number: ______________________________________
Father: ______________________________ Age: ________________
Occupation: __________________________
Address and Contact Number: ______________________________________

II. DETAILS OF THE CASE:

a. BULLY COMMITTED
o Physical
o Verbal
o Social/ Relational
o Electronic or Written Communication

b. ACTION TAKEN
 __________________________________________________

c. RECOMMENDATIONS
__________________________________________________

Prepared by: _________________________________

Signature Over Printed Name

________________________________
Designation/ Date