Quezon City Councilor Alfred Vargas has called for a comprehensive review and amendment of the city’s Anti-Bullying Ordinance to address the alarming rise of bullying cases in local schools.
The move comes as Vargas coordinated with the Quezon City Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) to specifically investigate reports of bullying and physical abuse targeting students with disabilities.
In a privilege speech, Vargas expressed his grief and outrage over a reported tragedy involving a 15-year-old student with a seizure disorder who allegedly took his own life after enduring relentless physical and verbal abuse from his peers. The victim was reportedly assaulted inside a school restroom while other students cheered, an incident captured on CCTV.
“Layunin po nating marinig ang lahat ng mga stakeholders, mapanagot ang sinumang dapat mapanagot na may sala o may pagpapabaya na dahilan ng malungkot na pangyayaring ito. All sides should be heard. Only the truth shall be pursued,” Vargas said.
The City Council has voted to investigate the incident.
Vargas likewise emphasized that the current systems in place must be re-evaluated to ensure that all schools are safe spaces rather than venues for violence.
He said that bullying happens in both public and private institutions, and that the local government must step in to stem bullying and abuse in all schools.
“Hindi po pwedeng idahilan ang pagkakaroon ng ‘batang isip.’ This is a matter of life and death. Kaya naman nananawagan po ako sa ating lahat,” he said.
“Siyempre kasama sa pamumuno ng ating Mayor Joy Belmonte and Vice Mayor Gian Sotto, at nating lahat, ang ating mga kasamahan sa Sangguniang Panlungsod na muli po nating buksan at pagusapan ang Anti-Bullying Ordinance po natin. Maaaring kailangan na po natin itong paigtingin pa at mag-adjust sa panahon upang hindi na maulit ang mga ganitong klaseng kasawian,” Vargas added.
Vargas is particularly concerned about the vulnerability of the PWD community within the education system. By engaging PDAO, the councilor aims to create specialized reporting channels and stricter penalties for those who target students with special needs.
He also challenged school administrators and parents to take a more proactive stance, rather than merely reacting after a tragedy has occurred.
“Sa pagbalangkas o sa pag amyenda ng ating ordinansa, itanong din natin kung ano ba talaga ang tungkulin ng mga magulang ng mga estudyante sa pag-report ng bullying. Ano ang role, ang papel ng mga magulang kung yung anak nila ang binubully? Lalo na, anong role ng magulang kung yung anak nila yung nambubully? Napakahalaga po ng papel ng magulang sa usaping ito, ” Vargas stressed.
The councilor ended his plea by calling on the public to break the culture of silence that surrounds bullying.
“Nananawagan po ako sa ating lahat na maging mas mapagmalasakit sa ating kapwa. Spread kindness. At siyempre, maging mapagmatyag at maagap sa pag-report sa mga insidente ng pang-aabuso at pambubully. Wala pong pamilya ang dapat makaranas ng ganitong pighati dahil sa bullying,” Vargas said.
