Bullying has long haunted Philippine schools, leaving scars that go beyond bruises and disciplinary records. For many children, it breeds fear, anxiety, and a deep mistrust of institutions meant to protect them. This is why the Department of Education’s (DepEd) rollout of the Kaagapay Program, which formally invites parents to become partners in anti-bullying and mental health efforts, deserves strong public support—and vigilant implementation.
Launched Jan. 12, Kaagapay institutionalizes the role of parents, guardians, and caregivers as co-educators under DepEd Memorandum No. 002, s. 2026. With a ₱100-million nationwide allocation, the program recognizes a simple but often neglected truth: schools cannot fight bullying and mental distress alone. As Education Secretary Sonny Angara emphasized, the family is a critical part of a learner’s support system. When schools and families work together, learners are better protected, and teachers are no longer left to carry the burden by themselves.
The urgency of this reform is backed by alarming data. A Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) report cited by education reform advocates found that 43 percent of Filipino girls and 53 percent of boys experience bullying multiple times a month, far higher than the global average. The Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) has warned that bullying in the Philippines has reached crisis levels. DepEd data further shows that more than 79,000 bullying cases were recorded between 2019 and 2022, while the national helpline logged over a thousand reports of campus violence from late 2022 to early 2025.
Behind these numbers are real students whose lives have been derailed—children who skip classes out of fear, whose grades are affected, or who suffer long-term mental health consequences. Studies cited by EDCOM 2 point to bullying’s lasting harm on students’ trust in schools and overall well-being. In extreme cases, bullying has been linked to self-harm and suicide, underscoring why mental health and child protection must go hand in hand.
This is where the Kaagapay Program can make a difference. The program conducts parent engagement sessions that help caregivers recognize early warning signs of bullying and mental distress, understand their children’s socio-emotional needs, and practice positive discipline at home. Using guided reflection and action planning, parents are encouraged to translate school policies into everyday family practices. Importantly, the program is inclusive and flexible—offered through face-to-face, modular, and asynchronous modes—to reach parents across socioeconomic backgrounds.
DepEd said the goal is to help parents better understand learner behavior, socio-emotional needs, and early warning signs of bullying, mental distress, or other concerns that may affect students’ well-being.
The program also supports broader reforms, including the ₱2.9-billion School-Based Mental Health Program mandated by Republic Act No. 12080. While the country continues to face a severe shortage of guidance counselors, empowering parents helps fill critical gaps by ensuring that learners have attentive adults both in school and at home.
Still, Kaagapay’s success will depend on how communities respond. Parents must move beyond seeing bullying as a “school problem” and recognize their influence in shaping children’s values and behavior. Parent-teacher associations can organize peer support groups, while barangays and local governments can host awareness campaigns and safe spaces for youth. Faith-based groups, NGOs, and youth organizations can also help by mentoring students and promoting empathy, respect, and responsible online behavior.
Bullying thrives in silence and indifference. By making parents active partners rather than passive observers, DepEd’s Kaagapay Program sends a powerful message: protecting children is a shared responsibility. If embraced by families and communities, it can help turn schools into what they should always be—safe havens where learners can grow, dream, and hope without fear.
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