Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
Caraga Administrative Region
Division of Agusan del Norte
Jabonga District II
BANGONAY CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

SCHOOL CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

I. OBJECTIVE
The school promotes a zero-tolerance policy for any act of child abuse, exploitation, violence,
discrimination, bullying and other forms of abuse.

II. PRINCIPLES
1. Schools shall be conducive to learning and children shall have the right to education free from
fear;

2. All children shall be protected from all forms of abuse and bullying to develop self-esteem and
self-confidence;

3. Schools shall advocate a positive and non-violent mode of disciplining children to foster self-
discipline and to improve self-esteem;

4. Corporal punishment shall not be imposed on any child in school for the purpose of discipline,
training or control;

5. School Heads shall take steps to prevent bullying and ensure that the appropriate interventions,
counseling and other services, are provided for the victims of abuse, violence, exploitation,
discrimination and bullying;

6. Pupils, students or learners shall respect the rights of others and refrain from committing acts of
bullying and peer violence;

7. Parents shall be actively involved in all school activities or events that raise awareness on
children’s rights, positive discipline, and the prevention of bullying;

8. Visitors and guest shall be oriented on the Child Protection Policy.

9. All schools shall establish a Child Protection Committee (CPC)

which shall be composed of the following members:

a. School Head/Administrator – Chairperson

b. Guidance Counselor/ Teacher – Vice Chairperson
c. Representative of the Teachers as designated by the Faculty Club
d. Representative of the Parents as designated by the Parents-Teachers Association
e. Representative of pupils, students and learners as designated by the Supreme Student Council
Representative from the Community as designated by the Punong Barangay, preferably a member of
the Barangay Council for the Protection of Children (BCPC).
III. DEFINITION OF TERMS
A. "Child" - refers to any person below eighteen (18) years of age or those over but are unable to
fully take care of themselves or protect themselves from abuse, neglect, cruelty, exploitation or
discrimination because of a physical or mental disability or condition; (RA 7610). For purposes
of this Department Order, the term also includes pupils or students who may be eighteen (18)
years of age or older but are in school.
B. "Children in School" - refers to bona fide pupils, students or learners who are enrolled in the
basic education system, whether regular, irregular, transferee or repeater, including those who
have been temporarily out of school, who are in the school or learning centers premises or
participating in school-sanctioned activities.
C. "Pupil, Student or Learner" - means a child who regularly attends classes in any level of the
basic education system, under the supervision and tutelage of a teacher or facilitator.
D. "School Personnel" - means the persons, singly or collectively, working in a public or private
school. They are classified as follows:
a. "School Head" refers to the chief executive officer or administrator of a public or private
school or learning center.
b. "Other Personnel" includes all other non-academic personnel in the school, whatever may
be the nature of their appointment and status of employment.
E. "Child Protection" - refers to programs, services, procedures and structures that are intended to
prevent and respond to abuse, neglect, exploitation, discrimination and violence.
F. "Parents" - refers to biological parents, step-parents, adoptive parents and the common-law
spouse or partner of the parent;
G. "Guardians or Custodians" - refers to legal guardians, foster parents, and other persons,
including relatives or even non-relatives, who have physical custody of the child
H. "School Visitor or Guest" - refers to any person who visits the school and has any official
business with the school, and any person who does not have any official business but is found
within the premises of the school. This may include those who are within the school premises for
certain reasons, e.g. student teachers, catechists, service providers, suppliers, bidders, parents and
guardians of other children.
I. "Child Abuse"- refers to the maltreatment of a child, whether habitual or not, which includes
any of the following:
J. psychological or physical abuse, neglect, cruelty, sexual abuse and emotional maltreatment;
K. any act by deeds or words which debases, degrades or demeans the intrinsic worth and dignity of
a child as a human being;
L. unreasonable deprivation of the child's basic needs for survival, such as food and shelter; or
M. failure to immediately give medical treatment to an injured child resulting in serious impairment
of his or her growth and development or in the child's permanent incapacity or death (Sec. 3
[b],RA7610).
N. "Discrimination against children" - refers to an act of exclusion, distinction, restriction or
preference which is based on any ground such as age, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation and
gender identity, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property,
birth, being infected or affected by Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune
Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), being pregnant, being a child in conflict with the law, being a
child with disability or other status or condition, and which has the purpose or effect of
nullifying or impairing the recognition, enjoyment or exercise by all persons, on an equal
footing, of all rights and freedoms.
O. "Child exploitation" - refers to the use of children for someone else's advantage, gratification or
profit often resulting in an unjust, cruel and harmful treatment of the child. These activities
disrupt the child's normal physical or mental health, education, moral or social emotional
development. It covers situations of manipulation, misuse, abuse, victimization, oppression or ill-
treatment.

There are two (2) main forms of child exploitation that are recognized:
 1. Sexual exploitation - refers to the abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power,
or trust, for sexual purposes. It includes, but it is not limited to forcing a child to participate
in prostitution or the production of
pornographic materials, as a result of being subjected to a threat, deception, coercion,
abduction, force, abuse of authority, debt bondage, fraud or through abuse of a victim's
vulnerability.
2. Economic exploitation - refers to the use of the child in work or other activities for the
benefit of others. Economic exploitation involves a certain gain or profit through the
production, distribution and consumption of
goods and services. This includes, but is not limited to, illegal child labor, as defined in RA
9231.
L. "Violence against children committed in schools" – refers to a single act or a series of acts
committed by school administrators, academic and non-academic personnel against a child, which
result in or is likely to result in physical, sexual, psychological harm or suffering, or other abuses
including threats of such acts, battery, assault, coercion, harassment or arbitrary deprivation of
liberty. It includes, but is not limited to,
the following acts:
1. Physical violence refers to acts that inflict bodily or physical harm. It includes assigning children
to perform tasks which are hazardous to their physical well-being.
2. Sexual violence refers to acts that are sexual in nature. It includes, but is not limited to:
a. rape, sexual harassment, acts of lasciviousness, making demeaning and
sexually suggestive remarks, physically attacking the sexual parts of the victim's body;
b. forcing the child to watch obscene publications and indecent shows or forcing the child to
do indecent sexual acts and/or to engage or be involved in, the creation or distribution of
such films, indecent
publication or material; and
c. acts causing or attempting to cause the child to engage in any sexual activity by force,
threat of force, physical or other harm or threat of physical or other harm or coercion, or
through inducements, gifts or
favors.
3. Psychological violence refers to acts or omissions causing or likely to cause mental or emotional
suffering of the child, such as but not limited to
intimidation, harassment, stalking, damage to property, public ridicule or humiliation, deduction
or threat of deduction from grade or merit as a
form of punishment, and repeated verbal abuse.
4. Other acts of violence of a physical, sexual or psychological nature that are prejudicial to the
best interest of the child.
M. "Bullying or Peer Abuse" - refers to willful aggressive behavior that is directed, towards a
particular victim who may be out-numbered, younger, weak, with disability, less confident, or
otherwise vulnerable. More particularly:
1. Bullying - is committed when a student commits an act or a series of acts directed towards
another student, or a series of single acts directed towards several students in a school setting or a
place of learning, which results in
physical and mental abuse, harassment, intimidation, or humiliation. Such acts may consist of
any one or more of the following:
a. Threats to inflict a wrong upon the person, honor or property of the person or on his
or her family;
b. Stalking or constantly following or pursuing a person in his or her daily activities,
with unwanted and obsessive attention;
c. Taking of property;
d. Public humiliation, or public and malicious imputation of a crime or of a vice or
defect, whether real or imaginary, or any act, omission, condition, status, or
circumstance tending to cause dishonor, discredit or expose a person to contempt;
 e. Deliberate destruction or defacement of, or damage to the child's property;
f. Physical violence committed upon a student, which may or may not result to harm or
injury, with or without the aid of a weapon. Such violence may be in the form of
mauling, hitting, punching, kicking, throwing things at the student, pinching,
spanking, or other similar acts;
g. Demanding or requiring sexual or monetary favors, or exacting money or property,
from a pupil or student; and
h. Restraining the liberty and freedom of a pupil or student.
2. Cyber-bullying - is any conduct defined in the preceding paragraph, as resulting in harassment,
intimidation, or humiliation, through electronic means or other technology, such as, but not
limited to texting, email, instant messaging, chatting, internet, social networking websites or
other platforms or formats.
N. “Other acts of abuse by a pupil, student or learner”- refers to other serious acts of abuse
committed by a pupil, student or learner upon another pupil, student or learner of the same school,
not falling under the definition of 'bullying' in the preceding provisions, including but not limited to
acts of a physical, sexual or psychological nature.
O. "Corporal Punishment" - refers to a kind of punishment or penalty imposed for an alleged or
actual offense, which is carried out or inflicted, for the purpose of discipline, training or control, by a
teacher, school administrator, an adult, or any other child who has been given or has assumed
authority or responsibility for punishment or discipline. It includes physical, humiliating or
degrading punishment, including, but not limited to the following:
1. Blows such as, but not limited to, beating, kicking, hitting, slapping, or lashing, of any
part of a child's body, with or without the use of an instrument such as, but not limited to
a cane, broom, stick, whip or belt;
2. Striking of a child's face or head, such being declared as a "no contact zone";
3. Pulling hair, shaking, twisting joints, cutting or piercing skin, dragging, pushing or
throwing of a child;
4. Forcing a child to perform physically painful or damaging acts such as, but not limited to,
holding a weight or weights for an extended period and kneeling on stones, salt, pebbles
or other objects;
5. Deprivation of a child's physical needs as a form of punishment;
6. Deliberate exposure to fire, ice, water, smoke, sunlight, rain, pepper, alcohol, or forcing
the child to swallow substances, dangerous chemicals, and other materials that can cause
discomfort or threaten the child's health, safety
and sense of security such as, but not limited to bleach or insecticides, excrement or
urine;
7. Tying up a child;
8. Confinement, imprisonment or depriving the liberty of a child;
9. Verbal abuse or assaults, including intimidation or threat of bodily harm, swearing or
cursing, ridiculing or denigrating the child;
10. Forcing a child to wear a sign, to undress or disrobe, or to put on anything that will make
a child look or feel foolish, which belittles or humiliates the child in front of others;
11. Permanent confiscation of personal property of pupils, students or learners, except when
such pieces of property pose a danger to the child or to others; and
12. Other analogous acts.
P. “Positive and Non-Violent Discipline of Children" -is a way of thinking and a holistic,
constructive and pro-active approach to teaching that helps children develop appropriate thinking
and behavior in the short and long-term and fosters self-discipline. It is based on the fundamental
principle that children are full human beings with basic human rights. Positive discipline begins with
setting the long-term goals or impacts that teachers want to have on their students' adult lives, and
using everyday situations and challenges as opportunities to teach life-long skills and values to
students.

IV. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

 The School Heads shall have the following duties and responsibilities:
A. Ensure the institution of effective child protection policies and procedures, and monitor compliance
thereof;
B. Ensure that the school adopts a child protection policy;
C. Ensure that all pupils, students or learners, school personnel, parents, guardians or custodians, and
visitors and guests are made aware of child protection policy.

D. Organize and convene the Child Protection Committee for the school;
E. Conduct the capacity building activities for the members of the Child Protection Committee and
Guidance Counselors/Teachers;
F. Conduct disciplinary proceedings in cases of offenses committed by pupils, students or learners;
G. Ensure that the participatory and other rights of children are respected and upheld in all matters and
procedures affecting their welfare;
H. Maintain a record of all proceedings related to bullying or peer abuse and submit after each school year
to the Division Office the report and a copy of the intake form (Annexes "A" & "B", respectively);
I. Conduct the appropriate training and capability-building activities on child protection measures and
protocols;
J. Ensure that the school adopts a student Code of Conduct to be followed by every pupil, student or
learner while on school grounds, or when traveling to and from school, or during a school-sponsored
activity, and during lunch period, whether on or off
campus;
K. Adopt such conflict resolution mechanisms that respect the rights of indigenous peoples, provided that
they conform to this Department Order and they uphold the rights of the child;
L. Coordinate with the appropriate offices and other agency or instrumentality for appropriate assistance
and intervention, as may be required in the performance of its functions;
M. Coordinate with the Department of Social Welfare and Development or, the appropriate government
agencies or non-governmental organizations on a Child Protection Hotline for reporting abuse, violence,
exploitation, discrimination, bullying and other similar
acts and for counseling;
N. Ensure that all incidents of abuse, violence, exploitation, discrimination, bullying and other similar acts
are addressed in accordance with the provisions of this Department Order.

Section 1. Duties and Responsibilities of School Personnel

Article 218 of the Family Code of the Philippines provides the following responsibilities of
school administrators, teachers, academic and non- academic and other personnel:
A. Exercise special parental authority and responsibility over the child while under their supervision,
instruction and custody. Authority and responsibility shall apply to all authorized activities whether
inside or outside the premises of the school, entity or institution.
Articles 220 and 233 of the Family Code of the Philippines, Presidential Decree No. 603, and
other related laws enumerated the following duties and responsibilities of the abovementioned persons
and personnel over the children under their supervision, instruction and custody:
B. Keep them in their company and support, educate and instruct them by right precept and good example;
C. Give them love and affection, advice and counsel, companionship and understanding;
D. Enhance, protect, preserve and maintain their physical and mental health at all times;
E. Furnish them with good and wholesome educational materials, supervise their activities, recreation and
association with others, protect them from bad company and prevent them from acquiring habits
detrimental to their health, studies and morals;
F. Represent them in all matters affecting their interests;
G. Inculcate the value of respect and obedience;
H. Practice positive and non-violent discipline, as may be required under the circumstances; provided, that
in no case shall corporal punishment be inflicted upon them;
I. Perform such other duties as are imposed by law upon them, as substitute parents or guardians; and
J. School personnel shall also strictly comply with the school's child protection policy
 Section 2. Duties and Responsibilities of Pupils, Students and Learners

Pupils, students and learners shall have the following duties and responsibilities:

A. Comply with the school's regulations, as long as they are in harmony with their best interests. Pupils,
students and learners shall refrain from:
i. Engaging in discrimination, or leading a group of pupils or students to discriminate another, with
reference to one's physical appearance, weaknesses and status of any sort;
ii. Doing any act that is inappropriate or sexually provocative;
iii. Participating in behavior of other students that is illegal, unsafe or abusive;
iv. Marking or damaging school property, including books, in any way;
v. Engaging in fights or any aggressive behavior;
vi. Introducing into the school premises or otherwise possessing prohibited articles, such as deadly
weapons, drugs, alcohol, toxic and noxious substances, cigarettes and pornographic material; and
vii. Performing other similar acts that cause damage or injury to another.
viii. An allegation that any of these acts has been committed shall not be used to curtail the
child's basic rights, or interpreted to defeat the objectives of this Department Order.
B. Conduct themselves in accordance with their levels of development, maturity, and demonstrated
capabilities, with a proper regard for the rights and welfare of other
persons;
C. Respect another person's rights regardless of opinion, status, gender, ethnicity, religion, as well as
everyone's moral and physical integrity; and
D. Observe the Code of Conduct for pupils, students and learners.
E.
Section 3. Establishment of Child Protection Committee

All public and private elementary and secondary schools shall establish a Child Protection
Committee (CPC).

A. The CPC shall be composed of the following:

1. School Head/Administrator-Chairperson
2. Guidance Counselor/ Teacher - Vice Chairperson
3. Representative of the Teachers as designated by the Faculty Club
4. Representative of the Parents as designated by the Parents-Teachers Association
5. Representative of pupils, students and learners as designated by the Supreme Student Council
6. Representative from the Community as designated by the Punong Barangay, preferably a member
of the Barangay Council for the Protection of Children (BCPC)

B. The CPC shall perform the following functions:

1. Draft a school child protection policy with a code of conduct and a plan to ensure child protection
and safety, which shall be reviewed every three (3) years. The template for the school child
protection policy is attached as Annex "C";
2. Initiate information dissemination programs and organize activities for the protection of children
from abuse, exploitation, violence, discrimination and bullying or peer
abuse;
3. Develop and implement a school-based referral and monitoring system. The template for the
referral system is attached as Annex "D";
4. Establish a system for identifying students who may be suffering from significant harm based on
any physical, emotional or behavioral signs;
5. Identify, refer and, if appropriate, report to the appropriate offices cases involving child abuse,
exploitation, violence, discrimination and bullying;
 6. Give assistance to parents or guardians, whenever necessary in securing expert guidance
counseling from the appropriate offices or institutions;
7. Coordinate closely with the Women and Child Protection Desks of the Philippine National Police
(PNP), the Local Social Welfare and Development Office (LSWDO), other government agencies,
and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), as may be appropriate;
8. Monitor the implementation of positive measures and effective procedures in providing the
necessary support for the child and for those who care for the child; and
9. Ensure that the children's right to be heard are respected and upheld in all matters and procedures
affecting their welfare.

V. PREVENTIVE MEASURES TO ADDRESS CHILD ABUSE, EXPLOITATION,

VIOLENCE, DISCRIMINATION AND BULLYING AND OTHER ACTS OF
ABUSE

Section 4. Capacity Building of School Officials, Personnel, Parents and Students

All public and private elementary and secondary schools shall build the capacities of school
personnel, pupils, students and learners, parents and guardians to understand and deal with child
abuse, exploitation, violence and discrimination cases, bullying and peer violence by conducting
sessions, trainings and seminars on positive peer relationships and enhancement of social and
emotional competence.
They shall use training modules which include positive and non-violent discipline in classroom
management, anger and stress management and gender sensitivity. They shall likewise employ means which
enhance the skills and pedagogy in integrating and teaching children's rights in the classroom.
The programs that are intended to promote Positive and Non-Violent Discipline include, but are
not limited to, the following:
1. Integration of education sessions on corporal punishment and positive discipline in the initiatives
of the Parent-Teachers Associations (PTAs);
2. Capacity-building programs for school administrators, teachers and non-academic personnel
focused on children's rights, child development and positive and nonviolent approaches in
teaching and classroom management, to enable them to incorporate positive discipline messages
in parent-teacher conferences and family counseling, and integrate messages on children's rights
and corporal punishment in classroom discussions;
3. Encouraging and supporting the formation and initiatives of support groups among teaching and
non-teaching staff, and parents and caregivers;
4. Implementing specific parenting orientation sessions with parents and caregivers and other
activities;
5. Implementing school activities or events that raise awareness on children's rights, corporal
punishment and positive discipline, fostering the active involvement of and providing venues for
bringing together parents, families and children;
6. Encouraging and supporting student-led initiatives to raise awareness on children's rights,
corporal punishment and positive discipline; and
7. Setting up child-friendly mechanisms for obtaining children's views and participation in the
formulation, monitoring and assessment of school rules and policies related to student discipline.
VI. PROTECTIVE AND REMEDIAL MEASURES TO ADDRESS CHILD ABUSE,
EXPLOITATION, VIOLENCE, DISCRIMINATION, BULLYING AND
OTHER ACTS OF ABUSE

Section 5. Procedures in Handling Bullying Incidents in Schools. A complaint for bullying or

peer abuse shall be acted upon by the School Head following the procedures herein set forth:
a. Bullying - Upon the filing of a complaint or upon notice by a school personnel or official of any
bullying or peer abuse incident, the same shall be immediately reported to the School Head, who
shall inform the parents or guardian of the victim and the offending child, in a meeting called for
 the purpose. The victim and the offending child shall be referred to the Child Protection
Committee for counseling and other interventions. The penalty of reprimand, if warranted, may
be imposed by the School Head in the presence of the parents or guardians.

If bullying is committed for a second or subsequent time, after the offending child has
received counseling or other interventions, the penalty of suspension for not more than one (1)
week may be imposed by the School Head, if such is warranted. During the period of suspension,
the offending child and the parents or guardians may be required to attend further seminars and
counseling. The School Head shall likewise ensure that the appropriate interventions, counseling
and other services, are provided for the victim or victims of bullying.

b. Bullying that results in serious physical injuries or death – If the bullying or peer abuse
resulted in serious physical injuries or death, whenever appropriate, the case shall be dealt with
in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act 9344 and its Implementing Rules and
Regulations.
c. Procedure - In all cases where the imposable penalty on the offending child is suspension,
exclusion or expulsion, the following minimum requirements of due process shall be complied
with:
1. The child and the parents or guardians must be informed of the complaint in writing;
2. The child shall be given the opportunity to answer the complaint in writing, with the
assistance of the parents or guardian;
3. The decision of the school head must be in writing, stating the facts and the reasons for
the decision;
4. The decision of the school head may be appealed, as provided in existing rules of the
Department.

Section 6. Implementation of Non-punitive Measures. Depending on the gravity of the bullying

committed by any pupil, student or learner, the school may impose other non-punitive measures, in
lieu of punitive measures, in accordance with the principles of Positive and Non-Violent Discipline.

Section 7. Other acts of violence or abuse. Other serious acts of violence or abuse committed by a
pupil, student or learner upon another pupil, student or learner of the same school, shall, and
whenever appropriate, be dealt with in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act 9344 and its
Implementing Rules and Regulations.

VII. RULES AND PROCEDURES IN HANDLING CHILD ABUSE, EXPLOITATION,

VIOLENCE AND DISCRIMINATION CASES

Section 8. - Prohibited Acts

The following acts, as defined in Section 3 of this Order, are hereby prohibited and shall be
penalized in administrative proceedings as Grave or Simple Misconduct depending on the gravity of
the act and its consequences, under existing laws, rules and regulations:
1. Child abuse;
2. Discrimination against children;
3. Child Exploitation ;
4. Violence Against Children in School;
5. Corporal Punishment;
6. Any analogous or similar acts.
Section 9. Investigation and Reporting. The conduct of investigation and reporting of cases of
child abuse, exploitation, violence or discrimination, shall be done expeditiously, as herein provided.
A. PUBLIC SCHOOLS
The School Head or the Schools Division Superintendent, upon receipt of the Complaint,
shall forward the same, within forty-eight (48) hours, to the Disciplining Authority, who shall
then issue an Order for the conduct of a fact-finding investigation, not later than seventy-two
(72) hours from submission.
 These periods shall be strictly observed, except when justified by circumstances beyond
their control; Provided, that, if the person complained of is a non-teaching personnel, the Schools
Division Superintendent shall cause the conduct of a fact-finding investigation within the same
period.
B. If a complaint is not sufficient in form, the concerned School Head, Schools Division
Superintendent, or Disciplining Authority shall immediately inform the complainant of the
requirements of a formal complaint. Upon the filing of the formal complaint, the same shall be
acted upon pursuant to the preceding paragraphs.
C. The conduct of a fact-finding investigation shall be in accordance with the Revised Rules of
Procedure of the Department of Education in Administrative Cases. Pending investigation, upon
referral of the School Principal or Guidance Counselor/Teacher, the Local Social Welfare and
Development Officer (LSWDO) of the concerned local government unit shall assess the child
and provide psycho- social intervention to help the child victim recover from whatever trauma he
or she has experienced as a result of the abuse. The offender shall likewise undergo psycho-
social intervention, if such is warranted.
If a prima facie case exists based on the Investigation Report and the records, a Formal
Charge shall be issued by the Disciplining Authority, which may be the basis for the issuance of
an Order of Preventive Suspension or as an alternative, reassignment of the offending party, as
may be warranted. The respondent may be placed under preventive suspension pending
investigation, for a period of ninety (90) days, if the injury or abuse committed against a child is
so grave, as to render the child unable to attend his or her classes. The respondent may also be
preventively suspended to preclude the possibility of influencing or intimidating witnesses. 
The respondent may file a Motion for Reconsideration with the Disciplining Authority or
may elevate the same to the Civil Service Commission by way of an Appeal within fifteen
(15) days from receipt thereof.
D. The Revised Rules of Procedure of the Department of Education in Administrative Cases shall
apply in all other aspects.
E. Complaint for education-related sexual harassment as defined under Resolution No. 01-0940
of the Civil Service Commission, must be in writing, signed and worn to by the complainant.
It shall contain the following:
1. the full name and address of the complainant;
2. the full name, address, and position of the respondent;
3. a brief statement of the relevant facts;
4. evidence, in support of the complainant, if any;
5. a certification of non-forum shopping.

E.1. The Complaint shall be referred to the Committee on Decorum and Investigation. Upon receipt of
the complaint, the Committee shall require the person complained of to submit his or her Counter-
Affidavit/Comment, which shall be under oath, not later than three (3) days from receipt of the notice,
furnishing the complainant a copy thereof, otherwise the Counter-Affidavit or Comment shall be
considered as not filed.

E.2. The procedure for the conduct of an investigation and all other related incidents, shall be in
accordance with the rules under Resolution No. 01-0940 of the Civil Service Commission;
Provided, that, if the respondent is a teacher, the composition of the Formal Investigating
Committee shall be in accordance with
Section 9 of R.A. 4670.

F. The Regional Directors shall periodically monitor and keep a record of all reported child abuse
cases, and submit a final consolidated regional report (Annex "A) to the Office of the
Undersecretary for Legal and Legislative Affairs and the Undersecretary for Regional
Operations.

G. Failure to submit an incident report or to render a decision involving the case within the
prescribed period, without justifiable cause, shall be a ground for administrative action for
neglect of duty against the responsible official.
 H. The Office of the Undersecretary for Legal and Legislative Affairs shall compile the regional
reports and submit an annual report to the Secretary.

Section 10. Jurisdiction. Complaints of child abuse, violence, discrimination, exploitation, bullying
and other acts of abuse under this Department Order shall be within the exclusive jurisdiction of the
Department, and shall not be brought for amicable settlement before the Barangay, subject to
existing laws, rules and regulations. Complaints for acts committed by persons not under the
jurisdiction of the Disciplinary Authority of the Department shall be referred to the appropriate
authorities.

Section 11. Confidentiality. In child abuse, violence, discrimination, exploitation, bullying or peer
abuse and other acts of abuse by a pupil, student or learners, the identity or other information that
may reasonably identify the pupil, student or learner, whether victim or offender, shall be withheld
from the public to protect his or her privacy.

On the other hand, the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers protects the rights of teachers
and no publicity shall be given to any disciplinary action against a teacher during the pendency of
his or her case.

Section 12. Criminal and Civil Liability. Criminal and civil liability arising from child abuse,
discrimination, exploitation, and other acts of abuse are separate and distinct, and shall not be a bar
to the filing of an administrative case under these guidelines.

VIII. REFERRAL AND ASSESSMENT OF VICTIMS AND OFFENDERS AND

OTHER CHILDREN

Section 13. Referral and Assessment. In all cases involving child abuse, violence, exploitation,
discrimination, bullying and other acts of abuse, the CPC shall accomplish the Intake Sheet (Annex
"B"). The School Head may refer the victims and offenders in cases involving child abuse,
exploitation, discrimination, bullying or peer abuse and other acts of abuse, to the LSWDO for
assessment. The LSWDO shall determine the appropriate intervention.

The School Head, with the aid of the assigned Guidance Counselor/Teacher, and in coordination
with the LSWDO, shall immediately remove the victim, or in appropriate cases the offender, from
the place of the incident, if the victim is determined to be at risk. The child's family shall be
informed of any action taken.

The School Head may also refer to the LSWDO other pupils, students or learners who are victims of
abuse at home, children at risk, children in especially difficult circumstances, children with special
needs or at risk, children facing difficult situations, or those who are exhibiting signs of aggressive
behavior, with a view to obtaining professional assessment, appropriate interventions and assistance
from competent service providers.

IX. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Section 14. Duties of Private Schools Private Schools shall be responsible for promulgating a
school child protection policy, including a policy on bullying, a protocol for reporting and
procedures for handling and management of cases, consistent with these policies and guidelines.
 
Section 15. - Separability Clause Any part or provision of this Department Order which may be
held invalid or unconstitutional shall not affect the validity and affectivity of the other provisions.
Section 16. Repealing Clause All prior Department Orders or other issuances, or provisions thereof,
which are inconsistent with this Department Order are hereby repealed, revised or modified
accordingly.
  
Section 17. – Effectivity This Department Order shall take effect immediately upon issuance.

X. SIGNATURE / DATE

KENNETH WINSTON D. MORANO HON. VICMAR M.

TELLO
SPG ADVISER BRGY. CAPTAIN

MAE B. CALANG RIC B. MAGDASOC

PGO PRESIDENT GPTA PRESIDENT

CHATLEEN G. RAMIREZ
CPP/REG COORDINATOR

BELMA M PRISCO
SCHOOL HEAD
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Caraga Administrative Region
Division of Agusan del Norte
Jabonga District II

CUYAGO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

C.Y. 2015-2018

SCHOOL CHILD
PROTECTION
POLICY
Submitted by:

CHATLEEN G. RAMIREZ
School CPP/REG Coordinator

Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
Caraga Administrative Region
 Division of Agusan del Norte
Jabonga District II

BANGONAY CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

C.Y. 2015-2018

SCHOOL CHILD
PROTECTION
POLICY
Submitted by:

ARNIE E. MACASCAS
School CPP/REG Coordinator

Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
Caraga Administrative Region
Division of Agusan del Norte
Jabonga District II

MARAIGING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

C.Y. 2015-2018
SCHOOL CHILD
PROTECTION
POLICY
Submitted by:

MELANIE R. DAMALERIO
School CPP/REG Coordinator

Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
Caraga Administrative Region
Division of Agusan del Norte
Jabonga District II

TAGBUAYA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

C.Y. 2015-2018
SCHOOL CHILD
PROTECTION
POLICY
: