A DAVAO City councilor has called for immediate action to address the shortage of guidance counselors and to support the training of teacher-counselors following the passage of Republic Act 12080 (RA 12080), or the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act.
Councilor Pilar Braga, chairperson of the Committee on Education, Science and Technology, Arts and Culture, emphasized the importance of equipping schools with adequate mental health resources and operational care centers. Speaking during her privilege speech at the Sangguniang Panlungsod on Thursday, December 12, 2024, Braga underscored the need for localized anti-bullying policies to foster a safer and more supportive learning environment.
“We must prioritize the development of localized anti-bullying policies to create a safer and more supportive environment for our learners,” she said.
Braga proposed an ordinance to establish Local Schools Mental Health Support to oversee and strengthen mental health programs in schools. She noted that this initiative would enable schools to form partnerships, augment resources, and ensure compliance with RA 12080.
She urged her fellow councilors to back the proposal, highlighting the need to make national legislation more relevant at the local level. Braga emphasized that this move would ensure every student is “seen, supported, and valued,” ultimately benefiting Davao’s children.
RA 12080, signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., seeks to enhance mental health programs in educational institutions by creating plantilla positions for school counselors and reinforcing anti-bullying measures. While the law provides a framework for mental health support in schools, Braga pointed out the challenges in its implementation, including limited resources, a lack of mental health professionals, and inadequate anti-bullying programs.
The councilor’s privilege speech was forwarded to the Committee on Education for further discussion and first reading.
Braga expressed confidence that RA 12080 would empower students to excel academically while ensuring their emotional and mental well-being, but she stressed the importance of local initiatives to address the gaps in resources and implementation. RGP
