08/09/2026
“𝑬𝒎𝒑𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑺𝒕𝒖𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑷𝒆𝒆𝒓 𝑭𝒂𝒄𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒔: 𝑶𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒐𝒏 𝑷𝒆𝒆𝒓 𝑺𝒖𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑨𝒏𝒕𝒊-𝑩𝒖𝒍𝒍𝒚𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑨𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔”
The Dapitan City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) Drop-In Center was honored to be invited as guest speakers during the Orientation on Peer Support and Anti-Bullying Awareness held on September 7, 2026, at the Dapitan City National High School Conference Hall. The activity gathered the school’s student leaders and Peer Facilitators, who serve as important partners in promoting a safe, supportive, and respectful school environment.
Representing the CSWDO were 𝐌𝐬. 𝐋𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐳𝐚 𝐌𝐚𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐠𝐩𝐢𝐧, 𝐑𝐒𝐖, Social Worker of the CSWDO Drop-In Center, who discussed “𝐵𝑢𝑙𝑙𝑦𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑖𝑛 𝑎 𝑆𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑊𝑜𝑟𝑘 𝐿𝑒𝑛𝑠,” and 𝐌𝐬. 𝐆𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐥𝐢𝐭, 𝐑𝐒𝐖, Social Welfare Officer II, who discussed 𝑅𝑒𝑝𝑢𝑏𝑙𝑖𝑐 𝐴𝑐𝑡 𝑁𝑜. 9344 𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐽𝑢𝑣𝑒𝑛𝑖𝑙𝑒 𝐽𝑢𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑊𝑒𝑙𝑓𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝐴𝑐𝑡, including an awareness discussion on the 𝐴𝑛𝑡𝑖-𝐵𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑠 𝐿𝑎𝑤. Through their respective topics, the speakers emphasized the importance of understanding bullying and youth-related concerns not only from a disciplinary perspective but also through the lens of child protection, empathy, accountability, intervention, and social support.
The discussion also highlighted the significant role of student leaders and Peer Facilitators in creating a positive school environment. As young leaders, they can become a source of support to their fellow students by listening without judgment, recognizing when someone may be experiencing bullying or other difficulties, encouraging their peers to seek appropriate help, and knowing when to refer concerns to teachers, guidance personnel, or professionals. They were reminded that they do not have to solve every problem themselves, sometimes, being present, listening, and connecting a fellow student to the right person can already make a meaningful difference.
The CSWDO expresses its sincere appreciation to the Dapitan City National High School Guidance and Counseling Office, Peer Facilitators, Guidance Advocates Guild, teachers, and school administrators for the opportunity to share the perspective and role of social workers in promoting child protection, responsible leadership, and a safer school community.
Together, let us continue to empower our young leaders to be the bridge, not the wall; the voice, not the echo, and to help build a school where every student feels seen, safe, respected, and supported. 💚