Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

House Bill No. 8679

Introduced by Representative John Marvin “Yul Servo” C.

EXPLORATORY NOTE:

Any individual, regardless of age can create a social media account. Regulations
or government interventions are scarce in this platform, thus, granting users
the freedom to create and publish content at the click of the button, devoid of
any formal process of publication. This aspect of the social media platform can
prove useful especially during times of emergency wherein quick updates and
urgent responses are needed.

Presently, despite the useful of social media in improving the daily lives of the
people, several issues have surfaced that requires the attention of legislators.
The continued circulation and broadcasting of Fake News across the platform
has alarmed many people for the influence of these kinds of content is vast and
can be quite damaging to the nation.

The State has constitutionally-declared policies to serve and protect the people,
to give priority to education to foster patriotism and nationalism and to
recognize the vital role of communication and information in nation building.
Towards this end, it is the objective of this measure to cope up with the
mercurial rise of the influence and prevalence of use of Social Media by
inculcating onto the youth and/or students the virtues of discernment and
critical-thinking in their unavoidable daily immersion in Social Media.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
5

JOHN Mi “YVL SERVO” C. NIETO


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

House Bill No. 8679

Introduced by Representative John Marvin “Yul Servo” C.

AN ACT INCORPORATING THE VALUE OF RESPONSIBLE, FAIR USAGE
AND ENJOYMENT OF SOCIAL MEDIA IN CAMPUSES NATIONWIDE, AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. Ti — This Act shall be known as the "Social Media Awareness
in Campuses Nationwide Act of 2018".

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State has constitutionally-declared
Policies to serve and protect the people, to give priority to education to foster
patriotism and nationalism and to recognize the vital role of communication and
information in nation building. Towards this end, it is the objective of this Act to
cope up with the mercurial rise of the influence and prevalence of use of Social
Media by inculcating onto the youth and/or students the virtues of discernment
and critical-thinking in their unavoidable daily immersion in Social Media.

SECTION 3. Inclusion of Social Media in the Curricula for Primary and
Secondary Education. - Social Media awareness shall be part of the
curriculum for both primary and secondary education, in public and private
schools, with the following objectives:

(a) To inculcate how various types of Social Media aid in the effective and
efficient dissemination of information;

(b) To inculcate how Social Media helps in shaping public discourse and
opinion;


(c) To inculcate how Social Media helps in fostering a more participative
democracy;

(d) To inculcate the importance of upholding truth and the veracity of
facts, figures and events in Social Media;

(e) To inculcate responsible and fair use of Social Media; and

(f) To inculcate the virtues of discernment and critical-thinking in the use
and/or enjoyment of Social Media.

The Department of Education (DepEd), in consultation with the Department of
Information and Communications Technology (DICT), shall immediately
formulate the necessary steps and measures to achieve the objectives of this
section.

SECTION 4. Social Media Awareness as part of the National Service
Training Program (NSTP). - Social Media awareness must be made part of
the National Service Training Program (NSTP), particularly in the service
components pertaining to the Literacy Training Service (LTS) and the Civic
Welfare Training Service (CWTS).

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Technical Education and
Skills Development Authority (TESDA), in consultation with the DICT, shall
immediately formulate the necessary steps and measures to achieve the
objectives of this Section.

SECTION 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The DepEd, CHED,
TESDA, in consultation with the DICT, shall promulgate the necessary rules and
regulations for the effective implementation of the provisions of this Act:
Provided, That the failure of the concerned agencies to promulgate the said
rules and regulations shall not prevent the implementation of this Act upon its
effectivity.

SECTION 6. Separability Clause. - If any section or provision of this Act shall
be declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions not
affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 7. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in two (2) newspapers of national circulation.

Approved,