Republic of the Philippines

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES RECEIVED

Quezon City pared 3 JUL 20%
TWENTIETH CONGRESS TIME
First Regular Session

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House Bill No, 2255

Introduced by REP. MARCELINO R. TEODORO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Digital Technology has become an indispensable tool in almost all facets of
human activity. The reach of technology has become pervasive, with computers and
other devices of digital technology becoming ubiquitous. Technological innovations will
only intensify in the years ahead. These emerging technologies are ushering in the
Fourth Industrial Revolution which is expected to disrupt traditional business and
employment models, and thus, result in the obsolescence of certain professions and the
displacement of some sectors of the workforce whose jobs will soon be automated. Our
future workers’ inability to adapt to the requirements of digital economy will lead to higher
unemployment rates, slower economic growth, and worse, inequality. Access to digital
technology and the skills to leverage it will increasingly influence our children’s future
ability to eam a living.

There is, therefore, an urgent need for the Philippines to prepare for the disruptive
technologies that the Fourth Industrial Revolution through the basic education level
where students can be equipped with ICT skills for a digital economy. Trainings on digital
technology will bring equal opportunities for children in remote areas, conflict areas and
even those who have disability to be present physically in the traditional schools. Digital
technology can also increase motivation for learning by making it more fun and by
providing children with access to high quality educational content, including textbooks
and video materials.

To realize all these, we will need the PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF THE FUTURE IN
TECHNOLOGY (PSOFT) where a student can finish his/her studies with the use of
school-based digital facilities. Each student will be provided with a laptop, have access
to the internet, and receive instruction in a digital classroom complete with a digital board
and such other digital tools and devices which will allow them to be at par with their peers
in other parts of the world. Teachers will give instructions or answer student queries and
academic issues via computer, digital device and/or teleconferencing whichever
technology is most convenient and would facilitate teaching and learning processes.

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However, the student will still be required to go to school to acquire social skills or
undertake some physical activity to develop the students’ responsiveness to command
and affective skills by promoting the development of their interpersonal relationships.
This is especially true for such subjects as Physical Education/Sports, the Arts, and
Technology and Livelihood.

Additionally, teachers will likewise be trained and re-trained to equip them with
the requisite aptitude and competencies that will enable them to perform their parts
under the PSOFT program. They have to acquire computer skills and be familiarized
with technology-aided teaching programs.

Therefore, this bill seeks to establish a PSOFT platform aimed at providing
Filipino students with the benefits of technological innovations which will prepare them
for the challenges of future economic and employment realities. This arrangement is
also most beneficial to all concerned because they need to go through the rigors of daily
commute, not to mention the cost of a boarding house, transportation fares, and daily
allowance.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly requested.

Mo: TA

MARCELINO R. TEODORO


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

-
House Bill No, 1255.

Introduced by REP. MARCELINO R. TEODORO

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF THE FUTURE IN TECHNOLOGY AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Public Schools of the Future
in Technology (PSOFT) Act’

ARTICLE!
POLICIES AND OBJECTIVES

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - Cognizant of the necessity of adopting innovative
technologies to attain development in more positive and transformative ways, the State
shall:

(a) Uphold the constitutional mandate to accord the highest priority to quality
education by providing appropriate mechanisms and resources to ensure the
enjoyment of quality education and services by all Filipino students, regardless
of social and economic status;

(o)

Harness technological innovations, approaches, and instruments in the teaching and
learning processes that would enhance the performance of students and teachers;

(c

Provide all leamers with the opportunity to enhance individual capabilities and
knowledge through information and communications technology (ICT);

C)

Create a system that shall promote and regulate the use of digital technology in
public education;

Enhance the learning experience of students by providing them access to
digitized copies of necessary reference materials and digital and online

Or


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)

(g)

(h

Sec. 3.

(a

(o)

Ss

)

Sec. 4.

(a

(b}

content through the use of ICT and other related technologies for the
advancement of education in the country;

Provide an accessible complementary mode of leaming to allow
students to continue their education during national health emergencies;

Encourage the wider participation of private groups, local government units
(LGUs), and community-based organizations in content generation and the
utilization of the broader spheres of science and technology; and

Promote public and private partnership in improving access to quality education
and lifelong learning.

Objectives. - This Act shall pursue the following objectives:

Establish an Interagency Taskforce to craft and implement the road map for the
PSOFT;

institutionalize a program for the integration of digital technology and innovation
in public basic education through the PSOFT Road Map;

Identify key components of the PSOFT Road Map; and

Provide a public-private partnership (PPP) mechanism to facilitate the
attainment of the objectives of the PSOFT Road Map

ARTICLE It
DEFINITION OF TERMS

Definition of Terms. — As used in this Act:

Fourth Industrial Revolution — refers to the ongoing automation of traditional
manufacturing and industrial practices using modem smart technology by
integrating advances in _ large-scale machine-to-machine communication,
artificial intelligence, genetic engineering, the Internet of Things, and other
technologies for increased automation, improved communication and self-
monitoring, and production of smart machines that can analyze and diagnose
issues without the need for human intervention;

High Touch, High Tech Framework — refers to a policy framework supported
by the United Nations Education Commission that espouses the need for
educators to find a balance between the more modem electronically-delivered
and digitally-supported method of teaching and the traditional face-to-face

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(c}

(4)

mode, the latter being teaching methods that are founded on a teacher's
capability to identify, develop, and improve an individual student's academic
weakness;

Internet safety policy — refers to an age-appropriate, research-based policy
that regulates the safe, ethical, and responsible use of the Internet in public
education, promotes an informed and critical understanding of the Internet, and
the education of children and communities about how to prevent or respond to
problems or dangers related to the Internet and new media; and

New media — refers to emerging digital, computerized, or network information
and communication technologies that often have interactive capacities, which
includes e-mail, instant messaging, text messaging, web sites, blogs, interactive
gaming, social media, cellphones, and mobile devices.

ARTICLE Ill
PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF THE FUTURE IN TECHNOLOGY

Sec. 5. Public Schools of the Future in Technology (PSOFT) Program. — There is
hereby instituted a PSOFT Program in all public elementary and secondary schools.

The PSOFT Program shall adopt the following principles upon administering basic

education in the public school system:

(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)

Establish a system of upgrading and replacing outdated technology;
Broaden and maximize the use of ICT to aid learning;

Provide technical support to maintain ICT and other technology;

Train and support teachers and students on ICT and other technology;
Develop educators to use ICT effectively in the classroom; and

Ensure that the balance between modem and traditional methods of teaching
are equally utilized to obtain optimum learning outcomes.

Sec. 6. Creation of the PSOFT Inter-Agency Task Force (PSOFT-IATF). — There is
hereby created the PSOFT-IATF.

The PSOFT-IATF shall, in consultation with concerned non-government entities,

including private companies, non-profit organizations, and private education institutions,
develop the PSOFT Road Map, a consolidation of development plans, programs, and
projects to be implemented by various departments and agencies of the national
government for the purpose of advancing digital technology and innovation in public
basic education.


The PSOFT-IATF shall be composed of the Secretary of the Department of
Education (DepEd) as Chairperson and the following as members: (1) Secretary of the
Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT); (2) Secretary of
the Department of Science and Technology (DOST); (3) Secretary of the National
Economic and Development Authority (NEDA); (4) Secretary of the Department of
Budget and Management (DBM); and (5) Director General of the Philippine Space
Agency (PhilSA).

The PSOFT-IATF shall finalize the PSOFT Road Map within twelve (12) months
from the effectivity of this Act, in accordance with national development goals. The
PSOFT Road Map shall be incorporated in the Philippine Development Plan.

The Secretaries of the DepEd, DICT and the Director General of the PhilSA may
recommend for the creation of positions as they deem necessary for the effective
implementation of this Act, subject to the approval of the DBM, in accordance with civil
service laws, rules and regulations.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development shall formulate a program
extending assistance to marginalized and disadvantaged students to ensure that they
may fully participate in the PSOFT Road Map.

Sec. 7. PSOFT Road Map. - The PSOFT Road Map shall serve as the basis for
programs and projects aimed at improving the quality of education through the use of
digital technology.

The PSOFT Road Map shall be subject to review and amendment, if necessary,
every three (3) years.

Sec. 8. Components of the Roadmap. - The PSOFT Road Map shall include the
following:

(a) Physical and Technological Infrastructure

(1) Universal Access to Internet for Public Schools
(2) Annual Investment Program for ICT Devices, Tools, and Equipment

(b) Enhanced Digital Education Program

(1) National Human Resource Development
(2) Training and Development of DepEd personnel

(c) Digital Reforms in Public School Administration


Ooyanewne

(1) Intemet Safety Policy
(2) Strengthening the Enhanced Basic Education Information System (EBEIS)
(3) Digital Alternative Learning System (ALS)

(d) Development of Online Learning Portals

(1) DepEd E-Leaming Resources
(2) Public Online Library

ARTICLE IV
PHYSICAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL INFRASTRUCTURE

Sec. 9. Universal Access to the Internet in Public Schools. ~ All public basic
education schools shall be provided access to the Internet for the purpose of reducing
the disparity in computing and information technology knowledge among public school
leamers and raising the standards of Philippine education.

In addition to traditional means of accessing the Internet, such as commercially available
connections or existing land-based initiatives of government programs to expand access
to the Internet, the PSOFT Road Map shall exhaust all options in ensuring intemet
connectivity for all public schools.

In order to provide the remote areas with digital connectivity, the PSOFT Road Map shall
provide cost-effective options for establishing a telecommunication satellite or installing
fiber optic technology infrastructure as part of the National Government Program under
the DICT, DOST, and PhilSA.

The necessary funding for the conduct of studies to determine the feasibility of
implementing a Telecommunication Satellite Program, through building, purchasing, or
leasing of a satellite, shall be appropriated in accordance with the PSOFT Road Map.

Sec. 10. ICT Devices, Tools, and Equipment. - The DepEd shall provide the following
equipment and services in all public elementary and secondary schools: personal
computers (PCs), laptops, tablets, learning devices, digital classroom equipment, and
internet and hybrid intranet connectivity.

The PSOFT Road Map shall include a plan for the procurement of PCs, laptops or tablets
for the educational needs of all elementary and secondary public schools. All learners
shall be provided with the necessary learning devices as stipulated in the PSOFT Road
Map. Should budgetary constraints prevent the attainment of such target, the national
government shall endeavor to meet a ratio of one (1) device for every two (2) learners
from Grades 4-6 to ensure that learners can make use of productivity tools in the conduct
of regular classes. The national government shall also maintain one (1) device for every

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fifteen (15) learners from Grades 7-12 to ensure that learners can avail of weekly classes
on ICT topics that require higher computing power.

The PSOFT Road Map shall provide for the establishment of functional digital
classrooms in all public schools. Digital classrooms shalll be equipped with digital boards,
computers, wireless router, multimedia projector, printer, and other necessary tools and
devices.

The PSOFT Road Map shall likewise provide for stable and reliable internet and hybrid
intranet connectivity. Educators in public schools shall make use of ICT and hybrid
intranet connectivity as presentation tools to complement traditional teaching methods.
The DepEd shall, with the technical assistance of DICT, develop an administrative
system in all public schools utilizing hybrid intranet connectivity in order to enhance
organizational management and administration, and streamline front office procedures.

Sec. 11. PSOFT Pilot Schools. — The national government shall establish PSOFT pilot
schools in the academic year following the effectivity of this Act. The pilot schools shall
be located in Metro Manila, Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao and shall fully comply with
the requirements of Article IV in this Act, as follows:

(a) The pilot school shall have full, unrestricted access to the internet and for this
purpose shall be equipped with wireless technology or such other modes of
connectivity that may be developed: Provided, That school administrators shall
closely supervise the access of leamers to content in order to protect them from
inappropriate, violent, or immoral material;

(b) Teachers shall be adequately trained in all technologies that the pilot schools
shall adopt for the use of leamers;

(c) All pilot schools shall employ trained information technology specialists to assist
faculty and learners; and

(d) All pilot schools shall provide each teacher and learner with the appropriate ICT
devices, tools, and equipment to ensure optimum satisfaction in both the teaching
and leaming experiences.

The DepEd shall, in coordination with NEDA, conduct an impact study of the pilot schools
to determine its potential in improving the quality of education. Additional pilot schools
may be established in the following years, subject to the availability of funds and through
cooperative arrangements with LGUs and the public sector.


ARTICLE V
ENHANCED DIGITAL EDUCATION

Sec. 12. National Human Resource Development. — Students in public elementary
and secondary schools must be prepared for the disruptive technologies that come with
the Fourth Industrial Revolution and have a significant impact on skills requirements and
on creating a range of opportunities for them in the future.

To better equip students to overcome the challenges enabled by ever-increasing
technological change and to improve student engagement and achievement, they shall
be provided with introductory courses on foundational technology that will enhance their
future competencies. The DepEd shalll determine the content and mode of delivery of
such foundational technology courses and shall introduce them in the curriculum in the
school year following the effectivity of this Act.

To allow students to acquire the appropriate aptitudes and competencies on these
courses, the PSOFT Road Map shall provide for the establishment of innovation hubs in
every school to enable students to hone their skills and techniques using a wide variety
of physical and digital tools and equipment. The innovation hubs shalll allow teachers
and learners to carry out technology-based projects that address local problems in the
community.

In addition to the standard ICT curriculum taught for basic education in the public
schools, the DepEd shall endeavor to include the following subject matters in its
curriculum:

(a) Respect for and protection of personal information on the Internet;

(b) Understanding computer security systems;

(c) Online gender sensitivity;

(d) Proper use of social media and social networking;

(e) Responsible and ethical use of the Internet, photographic equipment, smart
phones, and other equipment of similar nature; and

(f) Insights of Republic Act No. 10175, or the “Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012”
and other related legislation.

The DepEd shall, in coordination with the DICT, enjoin the use of the latter's ICT Literacy
Competency and Development Bureau and its relevant specialized ICT subjects to be
utilized as elective courses in Grades 11-12.

Sec. 13. Training and Development of DepEd Personnel. - The PSOFT Road Map
shall determine the training and development needs of schoo! administrators, teachers,
and personnel with respect to ICT.


To ensure that teachers are technologically knowledgeable and well-equipped with the
right aptitudes and competencies, the DepEd shall establish an Education Technology
Division that shalll implement teaching programs and utilize technology-based instruction
aids for the effective and efficient performance of teachers under the PSOFT Road Map.
The DICT shall extend its support in the implementation of training for teachers on ICT,
through its ICT Literacy Competency and Development Bureau.

The National Educators Academy of the Philippines shall carry out training programs for
educators in public schools and integrate ICT in classroom learning and instruction to
highlight the professional and educational benefits that may be derived from personally
investing in ICT.

ARTICLE VI
DEVELOPMENT OF ONLINE LEARNING PORTALS

Sec. 14, DepEd E-Learning Resources. - The DepEd shall develop an online portal
that provides access or links to Internet learning resources. The online portal shall
include e-books and videos, learning materials and teachers guides, materials for senior
high school subjects ranging from math, disaster readiness, and science, materials on
science, agriculture, livelihood and information technology, interactive exercises on
math, science, history, and economics.

The DepEd shall develop its own library to ensure the quality and safety of knowledge
and information made available to learners.

Sec. 15. Public Online Library. - The PSOFT Road Map shall include the
establishment of the Public Online Library.

The DepEd, DICT, DOST, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and the
Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) shall, in partnership
with the National Library of the Philippines (NLP), the National Book Development Board
(NBDB), and other concerned government agencies, develop and maintain the Public
Online Library, a repository of educational materials and digitized copies of books and
publications suitable for Filipino students and researchers that shalll enrich the learning
experience by complementing the textbooks and reference materials prescribed for the
elementary and secondary levels. The Public Online Library shall be directly connected
to the website of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). The DepEd and the NLP shall
have joint custody over the digitized copies of textbooks and references in the Public
Online Library which shall be jointly managed by the DepEd and the DICT. In this regard,
the DICT shall ensure the security of the online repository system to guarantee its
integrity.

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The DepEd may solicit additional reference materials and publications from the NLP,
other agencies of the government, and the private sector to augment its resources.

The authors of the digitized books and publications shall be covered by the protection
provided for in R.A 8293, as amended, otherwise known as the “Intellectual Property
Code of the Philippines.” The DepEd and all concemed agencies shall ensure that the
authors of the digitized books and publications shall be properly remunerated in
accordance with law.

ARTICLE Vil
DIGITAL REFORM IN PUBLIC SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION

Sec. 16. Internet Safety Policy. — To advance the objective of providing a safe and
secured education program under the PSOFT Road Map, the DepEd shall, within six (6)
months after the effectivity of this Act, formulate and enforce an intemet safety policy in
order to regulate students’ access to content especially against visual depictions that
are obscene, pornographic, and harmful to minors. In this regard, the intemet safety
policy shalll be implemented to accomplish the following objectives:

(a) Development and implementation of Internet safety education, including safe
access to educational technology, multimedia and interactive applications, and
online resources;

(b) Development of online risk interventions for learners and children;

(c) Training and support to stakeholders on peer-driven Internet safety education
initiatives;

(d) Undertaking of researches on online risks to form the bases for Internet safety
education syllabi and instructional material development,

(e) Development and implementation of a public education campaign to promote
awareness of online risks to leamers and children; and

(f) Education of parents to augment school initiatives on safe Internet use.

Sec. 17. Strengthening the Enhanced Basic Education Information System
(EBEIS). - The EBEIS shall be the central school database of the DepEd and it shall
contain pertinent personal data and school records of students. It shall be continually
improved to ensure the efficient management of school records.

School administrators and personnel shall be trained on the operation and access of the
EBEIS and be given access to student records and other related data in the EBEIS such

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asa student's school attendance record, records pertaining to the character of a student,
the level of the student's digital literacy and proficiency, grade level, examination scores,
school performance, immunization and health records, among others, for purposes of
recording student biographical data, handling admissions and discharges, and
transferring to other schools.

Any person who is caught illegally altering, falsifying, or misusing student information in
the EBEIS shall be sanctioned in accordance with R.A. 10173, otherwise known as the
“Data Privacy Act of 2012.”

Sec. 18. Digital Alternative Learning System. — The DepEd shall institute a digital
format of the ALS in the PSOFT Road Map. To attain this objective, the DepEd shall
provide professional training to teachers and non-teaching personnel involved in this
program and formulate the necessary guidelines for its implementation.

ARTICLE Vill
PARTNERSHIP MECHANISM AND ROLES OF PARTNERS

Sec. 19. Partnership Mechanism and Roles of Partners. — In the furtherance of the
PSOFT Road Map, the DepEd may coordinate and enter into an agreement or contract
with other government agencies, LGUs, private and non-profit agencies, institutions or
organizations duly accredited or recognized by the government, civil society, business
and industrial sector, and other concemed sectors.

The PSOFT Road Map shall define and delineate the areas of responsibility of
government agencies in conformity with their respective charters and mandates. For
purposes of this Act, these agencies shall have the following roles:

(a) The DepEd shall be the lead government agency responsible for the proper and
effective implementation of the various provisions of this Act and ensure
coordination and collaboration among agencies of the government.

(b) The DICT shall provide advice on matters relating to ICT and closely coordinate
and collaborate in the implementation of this Act. It shall undertake the
installation, maintenance, and operation of hybrid intranet connectivity in all public
basic education schools, provide an efficient and reliable broadband connection,
assist in the implementation of training and development for teachers concerning
ICT and ICT-assisted instructions, and coordinate and collaborate in the provision
of digital connectivity in public schools.

(c) The PhilSA shall advise and collaborate with the DepEd on matters concerning
the use of space technology and relevant space-enabled services to implement
the provisions of this Act.

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(d) The DOST, CHED, TESDA, DILG, NLP, NBDB, PSA, the LGUs, and other
concemed government agencies mentioned in this Act shall provide support and
assistance for the attainment of the purposes of the PSOFT.

Sec. 20. Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) for PSOFT Program. — The DepEd may
pursue PPPs from any of the modalities under R.A. 6957, as amended by R.A 7718,
entitled, “An Act Authorizing the Financing, Construction, Operation and Maintenance of
Infrastructure Projects by the Private Sector, and For the Other Purposes.”

To this end, the DepEd shall, in consultation with the PPP Center of the Philippines
created under Executive Order No. 8, series of 2010, entitled, “Reorganizing and
Renaming the Build-Operate and Transfer (BOT) Center to the Public-Private
Partnership (PPP) Center of the Philippines and Transferring its Attachment from the
Department of Trade and Industry to the National Economic and Development Authority
and For Other Purposes,” establish a PPP Unit to coordinate all matters relating to PPP,
in accordance with the PSOFT Road Map. It shall likewise coordinate with the Project
Development and Monitoring Facility of the PPP Center in the conduct of feasibility
studies and the preparation of tender documents for the PPP projects of the DepEd.

ARTICLE IX
AUTHORITY TO RECEIVE DONATIONS

Sec. 21. Authority to Receive Donations. — The DepEd is authorized to accept grants,
contributions, donations, endowments, or bequests in cash or in kind from local and
foreign sources in support of the development and implementation of this Act, subject to
the regular auditing guidelines and procedures: Provided, That in case of donations from
foreign sources, acceptance thereof shall be subject to existing government rules and
regulations. The proceeds of such grants, contributions, donations, endowments, or
bequests shall be used to finance the following:

(a) Establishment of pilot schools as provided in Section 11 of this Act;

(b) Research, development, and utilization of emerging digital technologies;

(c) Provisions of computer laptop units and improvement of ICT infrastructure,
including hardware and Internet connectivity;

(4) Training and capacity building; and

(e) Conduct of other activities necessary to carry out the objectives of this Act.

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ARTICLE X
THE JOINT CONGRESSIONAL OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE AND
REPORTORIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Sec. 22. Joint Congressional Oversight. - Upon the effectivity of this Act, a joint
congressional oversight committee to be known as the Joint Oversight Committee on
the PSOFT Program or JOC-PSOFT, is hereby constituted. The JOC-PSOFT shall be
composed of ten (10) members with the chairpersons of the Committee on Basic
Education, Arts and Culture and the Committee on Finance of the Senate, and the
Committee on Basic Education and Culture and the Committee on Appropriations of the
House of Representatives as members and three (3) additional members from each
House to be designated by the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of
Representatives, respectively. The members of the Committee from each House shall
have at least one (1) member from the minority party or coalition.

Sec. 23. Annual Report. - The DepEd shall submit a report to both Houses of
Congress, or upon the request by the JOC-PSOFT, providing a detailed account of the
status of the implementation of this Act.

ARTICLE XI
FINAL PROVISIONS

Sec. 24. Appropriations. — The Secretaries of Education and Information and
Communications Technology and the Director General of PHIISA shall immediately
include in their respective programs the implementation of this Act, the funding of which
shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

The funding for the implementation of PSOFT Pilot Schools under Section 11 hereof
shall be charged against the current year’s appropriation of the DepEd.

Sec. 25. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within one hundred-twenty (120)
days from the effectivity of this Act, the DepEd and DICT shall, in coordination with other
concerned agencies of the government and the private stakeholders, promulgate the
necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.

Sec. 26. Separability Clause. — \f any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional,
the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected thereby shall remain in full force
and effect.

Sec. 27. Repealing Clause. — All laws, executive orders, presidential decrees,

proclamations, rules, regulations, issuances and enactments or parts thereof
inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

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Sec. 28. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,

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