House Deputy Speaker Jude Acidre welcomed the signing of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act 12080 or the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act.
He said the move was “a critical step toward addressing the growing mental health concerns among Filipino students.”
Signed into law by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in December 2024, the measure mandates the creation of school-based mental health programs aimed at raising awareness, providing early intervention, and offering direct support to students and school personnel.
With the IRR now finalized and published, public and private schools are expected to begin rolling out these programs in the coming school year.
Acidre, who serves as a commissioner of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2), underscored the urgency of the law’s implementation, citing troubling indicators of student distress.
He noted the Philippines had the highest incidence of bullying among OECD countries in the 2018 PISA study, with 65 percent of Grade 10 students reporting being bullied several times a month.
From November 2022 to July 2024, Department of Education data further revealed that only 11 percent of reported bullying cases were officially resolved.
“These are not just numbers — they reflect a reality in our schools that we can no longer ignore. If we want our learners to thrive academically, we need to ensure that schools are safe and supportive environments where mental health is taken seriously,” Acidre said.
