Aurora: Physical and verbal bullying accounted for more than 90 percent of the 115 reported bullying incidents in Aurora schools, prompting the Department of Education (DepEd) to strengthen its child protection and safety mechanisms. Data presented by Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Dante G. Parungao during a press conference showed that physical bullying accounted for 56 cases, followed by verbal bullying with 49 cases.
According to Philippines News Agency, social or relational bullying had five cases, while cyberbullying had three. One case each of psychological and sexual bullying was also recorded. Parungao stated that the division's Child Protection Program is anchored on Republic Act 10627, or the Anti-Bullying Act of 2013, and DepEd Memorandum 90, s. 2025.
To address the problem, DepEd-Aurora is implementing the SAFE Program - Shield, Affirm, Fortify, and Extend - designed to strengthen learner protection and promote safer schools. Under the Shield pillar, schools provide immediate protection and intervention, including risk assessment, intake procedures, psychological first aid, and counseling.
According to Parungao, the division has five guidance counselors assigned to identified schools and is hiring 31 school guidance associates and one school division counselor. It also has 10 certified Child Protection Specialists and is deploying Blue Guards to high schools. The Affirm pillar focuses on developing a positive peer culture, with learner representatives from the Supreme Secondary Learner Government included in School Child Protection Committees, along with peer support, bystander intervention training, and student-led information campaigns.
Under the Fortify pillar, DepEd strengthens partnerships with families through parent orientations, home visitation, and parent-teacher guidance conferences for specific cases. The Extend pillar connects schools with communities and government agencies, including the Philippine National Police Women and Children Protection Desk, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and the Department of Health.
Parungao said the SAFE Program is supported by an institutional governance framework to ensure consistent reporting and accountability, with quarterly case reporting from schools to the division office. He urged parents and learners to report bullying through school child protection committees or guidance offices, with cases requiring higher-level intervention elevated to the DepEd-Aurora Schools Division Office.
Looking ahead, DepEd-Aurora said it plans to deploy additional Blue Guards, hire more guidance associates, expand peer support programs, and strengthen data monitoring systems. "A child who feels safe today becomes the leader Aurora needs tomorrow," the presentation underscored, reflecting the division's goal of ensuring every school provides a safe, supportive, and motivating environment for children.
