The Philippine National Police is studying the possible establishment of help desks for bullying-related complaints as part of efforts to strengthen the protection and welfare of students.
PNP chief Police General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. said the initiative would support the Department of Education’s measures to ensure that schools remain safe spaces for learning and development.
The move is in line with the directive of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. and Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla for concerned government agencies to help make schools safe and conducive to learning.
Nartatez said bullying requires immediate intervention to prevent incidents from escalating into more serious offenses or crimes.
He said the proposed help desks would form part of the PNP’s support system for DepEd, which has been pursuing measures to protect learners. These include the proposed mandatory inspection of bags and the creation of school counselor posts.
The school counselor posts have been approved by the Civil Service Commission and are expected to strengthen mental health services for students.
Nartatez said the PNP could reinforce these efforts through help desks manned by personnel from the Women and Children Protection Desk, which is active in every police station.
“Our coordination with DepEd is continuously being done to provide the best protection to our learners and to make sure that all schools are safe and conducive to learning,” said PGEN Nartatez.
Nartatez assured the public that the PNP would actively participate in efforts to combat bullying, particularly in schools.
“We will strengthen our anti-bullying campaign through close coordination with other concerned agencies and offices,” he said.