School violence in the Philippines is addressed through national and local laws, department orders, and school policies. The Department of Education provides various policies implemented in schools offering Basic Education while the Commission on Higher Education regulates the Higher Education Institutions in the Philippines.
Statistics In 2018, a study conducted by the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) shows that 65% of students in the Philippines experienced bullying a few times a month and 20% responded of being bullied at least once a week..
In 2022, a PISA study revealed that 43% girls and 53% boys reported to have experienced bullying in various forms and one in three students experienced bullying once a week or more.
In a hearing conducted by the Senate of the Philippines in 2023, the data presented on school bullying does not disaggregate data for Learners with Disabilities (LWDs). The lack of data was commented by the Autism Society Philippines. There is a need to improve data collection in bullying incidents to respond to the needs of LWDs.
Prevention UNESCO declared the first Thursday of November as the International Day against Violence and Bullying at School, including Cyberbullying.
Mental Health
On March 2, 2004, Republic Act No. 9258 or the Guidance and Counseling Act of 2004 was approved.
On March 16, 2009, Republic Act No. 10029 or the Philippine Psychology Act of 2009 was approved.
On June 20, 2018, Republic Act No. 11036 or the Mental Health Act was approved.
On December 6, 2024, Republic Act No. 12080 or the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotions Act was approved. In June 30, 2026, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) issued a qualification standard (QS) for Schools Division Counselor, School Counselor, and School Counselor Association.
In July 6, 2026, the Psychological Association of the Philippines recommended strengthening the comprehensive mental health systems in the country as a long-term approach to prevent school violence.
Police Visibility Philippine National Police For School Year 2025-2026, the Philippine National Police reported to have deployed over 37,000 police officers to monitor public and private schools and plans to put police assistance desks within the school vicinity.https://pco.gov.ph/news_releases/pbbms-order-to-increase-police-visibility-in-schools-earns-public-support/
Barangay Police In 2026, the Department of the Interior and Local Government through Memorandum Circular No. 2026-037 directed all Local Government Units (LGUs) to establish Safer School Zones (SSZs) and deploy Barangay Police Officers or Barangay Tanod.https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1279047
Policies Anti Bomb Joke Law On October 8, 1980, Presidential Decree No. 1727, or the "Anti-Bomb Joke Law", was signed. According to the law, the penalty shall be imprisonment of not more than five (5) years or a fine of not more than forty thousand pesos, or both.
DepEd Order No. 006, s. 2026, or the Guidelines on Ensuring a Safe Motivating Learning Environment (ESMLE), provides penalties on bomb jokes. According to DepEd, bomb jokes are classified as a third level offence and students will not be allowed to enroll in the following school year.
Anti-Bullying On September 12, 2013, Republic Act No. 10627 or the Anti-Bullying Act of 2013 was approved. The law classifies bullying into four types: Physical, Emotional, Verbal, and Cyber-bullying
In June 2026, a Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 10627 was signed. The new IRR is aligned with Republic Act No. 12080 or the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act which was approved on December 6, 2024. According to the Revised IRR, every school is required to have an Anti-Bullying Policy.
Anti-Child Abuse Law On June 17, 1992, Republic Act No. 7610 or the Special Protection of Child Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act was approved.https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/12/21/18/child-protection-and-bullying-here-are-laws-you-should-know-about
Anti-Hazing Act Anti Hazing Law
Anti Hazing Act of 2018
Safe Spaces Act
Zone of Peace
In 2017, during the Siege of Marawi, the Department of Education required all schools in Mindanao to put up “This school is a peace zone.”https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1016539
On January 10, 2019, Republic Act No. 11188 or the Special Protection of Children in Situations of Armed Conflict Act was approved of which in Section 6 declares children as Zones of Peace.
See also School violence in the United Kingdom School violence in the United States
References