Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
Region V (Bicol)
SCHOOLS DIVISION OF LEGAZPI CITY
Rawis, Legazpi City

LEGAZPI CITY NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

Pag-asa Drive, Rawis, Legazpi City

CHILD PROTECTION
AND
ANTI-BULLYING SCHOOL POLICIES
SY 2020-2021
LEGAZPI CITY NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL mission statement underpins all our
beliefs and practice regarding bullying, child abuse. This institution aims to ensure
that our school is a safe child-friendly environment for the holistic and functional
development of the students.
As a school our mission is to be one where everyone is valued and respected.
We meet the needs of all our learners by offering them every opportunity to learn
and develop to fulfill their potential.
STATEMENT OF INTENT
We are committed to providing a caring, friendly, and safe environment for all our
students so they can learn in a positive and secure atmosphere. Bullying of any kind
is unacceptable at our school. If bullying does occur, all students should be able to
tell and know the incidents will be dealt with promptly and effectively.
As a school we will aim to respond promptly and effectively to all of issues of
bullying.
OBJECTIVES OF THIS POLICY
To ensure that all teaching staff including the school head, students and parents
understands what bullying is.
To ensure that all teaching staff including the school head know what the school
procedures is on bullying and child abuse and follow it when it such case is reported.
To ensure that all students and parents know what the school policy is on bullying,
and what they should do if bullying arises.
To ensure that as a school we take bullying seriously. Students and parents should
be assured that they will be supported when bullying is reported.
To ensure that bullying is never tolerated.

Anchored on the DepED Order No.40, s.2012 “POLICY AND GUIDELINES ON

PROTECTING CHILDREN IN SCHOOL FROM ABUSE, VIOLENCE,
EXPLOTATION, DISCRIMINATION, BULLYING AND OTHER FORMS OF
ABUSE” The policy aim 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 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, considering the primary rights and
duties of parents, legal guardians, or other individuals who are legally responsible
and exercise custody over the child.
Zero tolerance for any act of child abuse, exploitation, violence, discrimination,
bullying and other forms of abuse.
The policy guidelines have listed down the specific acts that constitute bullying, child
abuse and violence which our school cases used as a guide in addressing this social
problem.

SCHOOL BASED CHILD PROTECTION COMMITEE

1. JEREMY A. CRUZ - CHAIRPERSON

Principal III

2. MARY CLAIRE B. MENDENILLA - VICE PERSON

BKD-GWAPO Coordinator

3. ROLAND BONGAIS - REPRESENTATIVES OF

THE PARENTS
GPTA President

4. JULIUS ESPADERO - FEA

Faculty President

5. JOCELLE ANNE A. CUEVILLAS - STUDENTS

REPRESENTATIVE
SSG President

6. JOEL OROSCO - BARANGAY

OFFICIAL
Barangay Chairman

A. PROHIBITED ACTS

Abuse
Violence
Exploitation
Discrimination
Corporal Punishment
Bullying
Other Forms of Abuse

CHILD ABUSE
 - Refers to the maltreatment of a child whether habitual or not, which
includes the following:
 Psychological or physical abuse, neglect, cruelty, sexual abuse, and
emotional maltreatment.
 Any act or deeds or words which debases, degrades, or demeans
the intrinsic worth dignity of a child as a human being.
 Unreasonable deprivation of the child’s basic needs for survival
such as food and shelter; or
 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 in capacity or death.
(Section 3(b) RA 7610)

DISCRIMINATION AGAINST CHILDREN

- Refers to an act of exclusion, distinction, restriction, or reference which is
based on any ground such as age, ethnicity, sex, sex orientation and
gender identity, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or
social origin, property ,birth, being inflicted by 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 affect of nullifying or impairing the
recognition, enjoyment or exercise by all persons on an equal footing, of all
rights and freedom.
- 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 not limited to the following:
 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.
 Striking of a child’s face or head, such being declared as a “no contract zone”.
 Pulling hair, shaking, twisting joints, cutting, or piercing skin, dragging,
pushing, or throwing of a child.
 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.
 Deprivation of a child’s physical needs as a form of punishment.
 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, insecticides, excrement, or urine.
 Tying up a child.
 Confinement, imprisonment, or depriving the liberty of a child.
  Verbal abuse or assaults, including intimidation or threat of bodily harm,
swearing or cursing, ridiculing, or denigrating the child.
 Forcing a child to swear a sign, to undress or disrobe, or put anything that will
make a child look or feel foolish, which belittles or humiliates the child in front
of others.
 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
 Other analogous acts.
CHILD EXPLOITATION
- Refers to the use of children for someone else’s advantages, gratification or
profit resulting in an adjust, cruel, and harmful treatment of the child.
Two forms:
Sexual exploitation – abuse of position of vulnerability, differential power, or
trust, for sexual purposes.
Economic exploitation – use of child in work or other activities for the benefit
of others.

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:
 Physical violence – bodily or physical harm. It includes assigning
tasks which are hazardous to their physical well-being.
 Sexual violence – acts that sexual in nature. It includes, but not
limited to rape.
 Psychological violence – acts or omissions causing or likely to cause
mental or emotional suffering of the child.
 Other acts of violence of a physical, sexual, or psychological nature
that are prejudice to the best interest of the child.

BULLYING OR PEER ABUSE

- 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.
  Threats to inflict a wrong upon a person, honor or property of the
person or on his or her family.
 Stalking or constantly following or pursuing a person in his or her
daily activities, with unwanted and obsessive attention.
 Taking of property.
 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.
 Deliberate destruction or defacement of, or damage to the child’s
property.
 Physical violence committed upon a student, which may or may not
result to harm or injury, with or without the act of weapon. Such
violence may be in the form of mauling, hitting, punching, kicking,
throwing things at the student, pinching, spanking, or other similar
acts.
 Demanding or requiring sexual or monetary favors or exacting
money or property from a pupil or student; and
 Restraining the liberty and freedom of a pupil or student.

CYBER-BULLYING
- Is any conduct which results to 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.

B. PREVENTIONS AND INTERVENTION PROGRAMS

PROCEDURES IN HANDLING BULLYING INCIDENTS IN SCHOOLS

 It shall be acted upon by the School Head who shall inform the parents or
guardians of the victim and offending child.
 The incident will be referred to the Child Protection Committee for
counseling and other intervention.
 If warranted, penalties may be imposed by the School Head.

PENALTIES:
1ST Offense – reprimand
2nd Offense and subsequent time – suspension for not more than one (1) week
(this is after the offending child has received counseling or other interventions).
Note: During the period of suspension, the offending child and the parents or
guardians may be required to attend further seminars and counseling.
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
compiled with:
 The child and the parents or guardians must be informed of the complaint in
writing.
 The child shall be given the opportunity to answer the complaint in writing,
with the assistance of the parents or guardians.
 The decision of the school head must be writing, stating the facts and the
reasons for the decisions.
 The decision of the school head may be appealed as provided in existing
rules of the Department.
 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 No. 7610 and its Implementing Rules and
Regulations.
Depending on the gravity of the bullying committed by any pupil, student or learner,
the school may impose other non-disciplinary measures.

INITIAL INTERVENTION
1. Student/Parent report an incidence of bullying to any member of the school
child protection committee.
2. The committee member should make it clear to the victim that revenge is not
the solution.
3. The committee member will record the details of the incident and discuss it
with the pupil to ensure accuracy.
4. The bullying behavior or threats will be investigated.
5. Witness statements may be taken from other students.
6. Every effort will be made to resolve the problem through counseling of both
parties.
7. A meeting will take place between the students involved so that the students
can understand their behavior. The outcome will include agreed strategies for
ensuring that there is no further occurrence of bullying and to improve the
working relationship between the individuals involved.
8. Following the meeting a contract of behaviors may be put into place to
support both the victim and the student (s) leading the bullying.
9. In all cases parents will be informed that there will be an opportunity to
discuss the problem.
10. Actions will be made to help the bully (bullies) change their behavior.
11. A review meeting will take place to assess how successful initial intervention
has been and to decide whether any further action needs to be taken.
FURTHER INTERVENTION
1. If there is no significant change in behavior of the bully a further restorative
meeting will be arranged. The outcome will include a contract of the behavior.
2. Parents will be updated regarding interventions and will be informed of future
actions which may need to put into place.
3. Further actions will be made to help the bully (bullies) change their behavior.
4. If the bullying behavior continues, and counseling has not worked, then
sanctions follow. Appropriate sanctions will be applied to the bully and if
necessary and appropriate external stakeholders will be consulted.
5. It is important that counseling is maintained for both parties, even when
sanctions have been applied.

OUTCOMES
1. Appropriate consequences will also be put into place to sanction the behavior
and to educate the bully regarding appropriate behaviors. In serious cases,
suspension or even exclusion will be considered.
2. After the incident/incidents have been investigated and dealt with, each case
will be monitored to ensure repeated bullying does not take place.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

A student may indicate by signs or behavior that he or she is being bullied. Adults
should be aware of these possible signs and that they should investigate if a student:
1. Is frightened of walking to or from school.
2. Is unwilling to go to school.
3. Begins to truant.
4. Becomes withdrawn anxious, or lacking in confidence
5. Starts stammering
6. Cries themselves to sleep at night or has nightmares.
7. Feels ill in the morning.
8. Begins to do poorly in schoolwork.
9. Comes home with close torn or things damaged.
10. Has possessions which are damaged or “go missing”
11. Ask for money or starts stealing money.
12. Has unexplained cuts or bruises.
13. Comes home starving (money/lunch has been stolen).
14. Becomes aggressive, disruptive, or unreasonable.
15. Is bullying other students or siblings.
16. Stops eating.
17. Is frightened to say what is wrong.
18. Gives improbable excuses for any of the above.
19. Developing sleep problems.
 DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
THE ROLE OF THE SCHOOL HEAD
1. Ensure the institution of effective child protection policies and procedures and
monitor compliance thereof.
2. Ensure that the school adopts a child protection policy.
3. Ensure that all pupils, students or learners, school personnel, parents,
guardians or custodians, and visitors and guests are made aware of child
protection policy.
4. Organize and convene the Child Protection Committee for the school.
5. Conduct the capacity building activities for the members of the Child
Protection Committee and Guidance Counselors/Teachers.
6. Conduct disciplinary proceedings in cases of offenses committed by pupils,
students, or learners.
7. Ensure that the participatory and other rights of children are respected and
upheld in all matters and procedures affecting their welfare.
8. Maintain a record of all proceedings related to bullying or peer abuse and
submit after each school year to the Division Office the report and a copy of
the intake form (Annexes)
9. Conduct the appropriate training and capability-building activities on child
protection measures.

THE ROLE OF SCHOOL CHILD PROTECTION COMMITTEE

CPC supports the school head in all attempts to eliminate bullying from our school.
The committee will not condone any bullying at all in our school and any incidents of
bullying that do occur will be taken very seriously and dealt with appropriately.
If a parent is dissatisfied with the way the school has dealt with a bullying incident,
they should follow the DepEd’s Complaints Procedure.

The CPC shall perform the following functions:

1. Initiate information dissemination programs and organize activities for the
protection of children from abuse, exploitation, violence, discrimination and
bullying or peer abuse.
2. Develop and implement a school-based referral and monitoring system.
3. Establish a system for identifying students who may be suffering from
significant harm based on any physical, emotional, or behavioral signs.
4. Identify refer and, if appropriate, report to the appropriate office’s cases
involving child abuse, exploitation, violence, discrimination, and bullying.
5. Give assistance to parents or guardians, whenever necessary in securing
expert guidance counseling from the appropriate offices or institutions.
 6. 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.
7. 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
8. Ensure that the children’s right to be heard are respected and upheld in all
matters and procedures affecting their welfare.

THE ROLE OF ALL STAFF

All forms of bullying are taken seriously, and proactive measures are taken to
prevent it from taking place.
Teachers are responsible for reporting any incidents to the School Child Protection
Committee; this is encouraged to be done as soon as possible.
RULES AND PROCEEDINGS IN HANDLING CHILD ABUSE, EXPLOITATION,
VIOLENCE AND DISCRIMINATION CASES
Complaint against school personnel or official:
1. School Head or the Schools Division Superintended shall forward the
complaint within 48 hours to the Disciplining Authority, who shall issue an
Order for the conduct of a fact-finding investigation, not later than 72 hours
from submission.
2. If the person complained of is a non-teaching personnel, the Schools Division
Superintended shall cause the conduct of a fact-finding investigation within
the same period.
3. Criminal and civil liability shall not be a bar to the filing of an administrative
case.
4. The Revised Rules of Procedure of DepEd in Administrative Cases shall
apply in all other aspects.
5. The identity or another information that may reasonably identify the pupil or
student shall remain confidential; and
6. The identity of a respondent-teacher shall likewise be kept confidential.

MECHANISM AND PROCEDURES

1. Adopt and implement this child protection/anti-bullying policy in accordance
with the IRR of RA 10627 and submit the same to the Division Office.
2. Provide pupils and their parents or guardians a copy of this child
protection/anti-bullying policy.
3. Educate students on the dynamics of bullying, the anti-bullying policies of the
school as well as the procedures for the reporting of acts of bullying or
retaliation.
 4. 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.
5. Devise prevention, intervention, protective and remedial measures to address
bullying.
6. Conduct the capacity building activities for guidance counselors/teachers and
the members of the Child Protection Committees.
7. Ensure effective implementation of the anti-bullying policy and monitor
compliance therewith.
8. Ensure the safety of the victim of bullying, the bully, and the bystander and
determine the students’ needs for protection.
9. Ensure that the rights of the victim, the bully, and the bystander are protected
and upheld during the conduct of the investigation.
10. Accomplish the Intake Sheet prescribed in Annex “B”, 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 No. 40, s. 2012,
to the Division Office.
11. Maintain a public record or statistics of incidents of bullying and retaliation.
12. Coordinate with appropriate offices and other agencies for appropriate
assistance and intervention, as required by the circumstances.

LEGAZPI CITY NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL commits to create an atmosphere

where students who are being bullied, or others who know about it, know that they
will be listened to and believed, and that action taken will be sensitive to their
concerns.

PREPARED BY:

MARY CLAIRE B. MENDENILLA

Teacher III

NOTED:

JEREMY A. CRUZ
Principal III