Senate President Pro Tempore Gatchalian pushes for stronger anti-bullying, mental health programs as classes resume

As 28 million students return to public schools across the country, Senate President Pro Tempore Sherwin "Win" Gatchalian is pushing for the full implementation of programs aimed at both strengthening mental health support and combatting bullying in schools.

Gatchalian emphasized that bullying remains a persistent problem in schools, citing data that continues to place the Philippines among the countries with the highest reported rates of school bullying. According to the 2022 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), one in three Filipino students aged 15 reported experiencing bullying at least once a week.

The senator also pointed to findings from EDCOM 2, which revealed that bullying in schools can escalate into organized physical attacks and serious forms of intimidation, causing some learners to avoid attending classes altogether.

As government's response, the 2026 national budget has allocated P2.974 billion for the School-Based Mental Health Program and the establishment of the Learner Wellness Division. The funding supports the implementation of the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act (Republic Act No. 12080), a measure authored and sponsored by Gatchalian.

“Habang patuloy nating tinutugunan ang krisis sa edukasyon, dapat din nating sugpuin ang bullying at palakasin ang mental health support para sa ating mga mag-aaral," Gatchalian said.

"Nakasalalay dito ang kanilang kaligtasan, kapakanan, at kakayahang matuto nang maayos sa loob ng paaralan,” he added.