ILOILO — The Department of Education (DepEd) Region 6has stepped up its crackdown on cyberbullying and online sexual exploitation of children, backing its intensified Safer Internet Day campaign with a proposed P2.9-billion national allocation for school-based mental health programs in 2026.
The renewed push, highlighted during the February 10 observance of Safer Internet Day at Ivisan National High School in Capiz, signals a broader institutional effort to confront what education officials described as escalating online threats targeting learners across the region.
Safer Internet Day, observed in more than 100 countries and recognized locally under Proclamation No. 417, underscores the urgency of digital vigilance as students become increasingly immersed in online platforms for learning and social interaction.
Capiz Schools Division Superintendent Roel Bermejo stressed that safeguarding children online requires collective action from families, schools, and communities.
“We gather today not only to celebrate connectivity but to reaffirm our shared responsibility in making the digital space safe, respectful, and protective for our children,” Bermejo said.
DepEd Secretary Sonny Angarra, represented by Bureau of Learner Support Services Director IV Razzel Anne Requesto, acknowledged the growing risks tied to technology use in education.
“While technology has greatly facilitated faster, more inclusive, and effective learning, we also understand the significant risks associated with increased exposure to online threats,” Requesto said.
Education officials said the P2.9-billion proposed budget for 2026 will strengthen counselling and mental health interventions in schools, equipping institutions to better support students exposed to cyberbullying and online exploitation.
DepEd-6 OIC regional director Dr. Cristito Eco underscored the shared duty of protecting children in digital spaces.
“Ang kaligtasan ng mga bata sa digital na mundo ay hindi lamang personal na responsibilidad. Ito ay sama samang pananagutan,” Eco said.
He added: “Together, we can develop and maintain a safer digital landscape for the youth,” emphasizing coordinated action against Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitative Materials (CSAEM).
Through programs such as Agapay, DepEd is also strengthening school-parent partnerships to help families recognize warning signs of cyberbullying and unsafe online behavior, aligning with the Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Anti-Bullying Act of 2013./PN
