Senate President Win Gatchalian urged the Department of Education (DepEd) to prioritize schools and areas with high cases of bullying in the hiring and deployment of newly created school counselor associate positions.

During the Senate Committee on Basic Education hearing on Thursday, July 9, Gatchalian said the allocation of school counselor associates should focus first on communities where students are most vulnerable to bullying and school violence.

“Sa pagsugpo natin sa bullying at karahasan sa mga paaralan, mahalagang unahin natin ang mga lugar na higit na nangangailangan ng tulong,” Gatchalian said.

The senator’s statement followed the release of the Qualification Standards for School Counselor Associate I by the Civil Service Commission (CSC). The position was established under Republic Act No. 12080 to help address the shortage of guidance counselors and strengthen the implementation of the School-Based Mental Health Program.

Gatchalian cited findings from the Second Congressional Commission on Education, which identified Davao Region (Region XI) and MIMAROPA (Region IV-B) as among the areas with the highest reported incidence of bullying, followed by Regions XII, V, and I.

Under the 2026 national budget, ₱2 billion has been allocated for the hiring of 10,000 School Counselor Associate I positions nationwide.

Gatchalian emphasized that strategic deployment of these personnel is necessary to maximize the impact of the government’s investment in student mental health programs.

“Sa ganitong paraan, masisiguro nating magiging epektibo ang paggamit ng pondong inilaan natin para sa mga propesyonal na mangunguna sa pagpapatupad ng ating programa para sa mental health ng mga mag-aaral,” he added.

The senator said strengthening mental health support in schools is a key measure in preventing bullying, violence, and other challenges affecting students’ overall well-being.