Citing the Department of Education (DepEd), a children's group noted that reported bullying cases in Metro Manila rose to 2,500 in school year 2024–2025, up from 2,268 in the previous year.

This comes as Save the Children Philippines (SCP) urged families to begin bullying prevention in preschool and kindergarten, where young children first learn how to get along.

“The first five years of life are critical for shaping how a child manages emotions, expresses needs, builds relationships, and resolves conflicts," Joy Sampang, Save the Children Philippines’ Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) Technical Advisor, explained.

"Children who learn empathy, communication and respect in their earliest years are less likely to bully or be bullied, and more likely to include others and stand up for what’s right,” Sampang added.

Despite this, many young children in the Philippines still miss out on ECCD, she pointed out.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority’s 2019 Functional Literacy, Education and Mass Media Survey, about 78 percent of three- to four-year-olds were not attending child development centers, while 28 percent of five-year-olds were not enrolled in kindergarten.

Kindergarten is compulsory, but some parents believe their children are “too young” for school and may not fully understand its benefits, Sampang continued.

“These missed opportunities mean fewer children are learning the basic social and emotional skills that help prevent bullying, like naming feelings, expressing boundaries,s and building friendships,” she added.

To help families and ECCD workers prevent bullying from the start, the SCP recommended simple ways, such as using storybooks, puppet play, and real-life moments to help children name emotions and behaviors; modeling respectful but firm language; supporting children in identifying three trusted adults at home, in child development centers, or in the community who will listen without judgment; checking in with children daily; and showing empathy.

The SCP actively contributed to the provisions of Republic Act No. 12199, the ECCD System Act, which was recently signed.

The law requires every barangay to establish a child development center and mandates that each local government unit have an ECCD office, ensuring young children can access quality, inclusive early learning and support services within their communities.