Bullying is a national crisis in the Philippines, harming millions of children daily. Recent data paints a troubling picture. According to global assessments, 1 in 3 Filipino students experience bullying in school (UNICEF) Bullying extends beyond classrooms. Online, nearly half of Filipino children aged 13–17 suffer cyberbullying (UNICEF). Harm follows them from school to home and onto their screens. It is within this urgent context that Stairway Foundation continues to bring its advocacy beyond communities and into the heart of national decision-making.
From Grassroots to Government
Through its Safeguarding, Training, and Consultancy Unit (STCU), Stairway is actively contributing to the development of child protection policies at the highest levels. Kuya Ace and Ate Marlet have been invited as resource persons and members of Technical Working Groups in both the Senate of the Philippines and the House of Representatives of the Philippines.
Their participation makes sure policies reflect statistics and lived realities. Children from remote barangays, public schools, and vulnerable communities bring their voices to legislative discussions where decisions are made.
When Stories Shape Policy
A significant milestone came during a Senate committee hearing on proposed amendments to the Anti-Bullying Act of 2013. As part of the Department of Education (DepEd) presentation, Stairway’s original animation “Be a Buddy, Not a Bully” was screened.
This moment underscores a powerful truth: data informs policy—but stories move it.
By presenting child-centered, creative advocacy tools at the national level, Stairway helps decision-makers see beyond numbers and into the real experiences of children—those who are hurt, those who stay silent, and those who need protection.
Strengthening Protection in a Changing World
Stairway’s contributions extend beyond anti-bullying legislation. The organization is also providing technical expertise on key national measures, including:
- Amendments to Republic Act No. 11930
Strengthening the fight against Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Materials (CSAEM). - The Child Online Protection Bill
Establishing a comprehensive framework to safeguard children in digital spaces, where bullying, exploitation, and abuse increasingly intersect.
These efforts recognize a critical reality: the risks children face today are interconnected. Bullying, cyberviolence, exploitation, and mental health challenges are part of the same ecosystem of harm.
A National Call to Action
Bullying does not exist in isolation. It is shaped by what children experience at home, in school, and online. Studies show that violence in one environment often leads to aggression in another—creating a cycle that affects entire communities (Save the Children International).
Breaking this cycle requires more than laws—it requires collective responsibility.
By bridging grassroots advocacy and national policy, Stairway Foundation ensures that children are protected not only by law but also represented in it.
At a time when millions of Filipino children continue to face bullying and online risks, this work is more urgent than ever.
Because every child deserves to feel safe—in school, online, and in life.