SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
, 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
'13 
NOV 14 P 4 :1 5 
SENATE 
. 
S. No. 1922 
Introduced by Senator Miriarn Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 11 provides: 
Section 17. The State shall give priority to education, science and 
technology, arts, culture, and sports to foster patriotism and nationalism, 
accelerate social progress, and promote total human liberation and development. 
Technology in the schools is a central component of preparing students for the 21 st 
century. Equipping schools with technology is no longer a luxury, it is a necessity. Technology 
in the classroom improves students' mastery of basic skills, test scores, writing, and engagement 
in school. With these gains come decreases in dropout rates and decreases in attendance and 
discipline problems. 
Not 
enough 
students 
have 
access 
to 
computers, 
distance 
learning, 
and 
telecommunications technologies. In fact, many public schools do not have any computers, while 
. 
" 
few have older models that do not have the power to perform advanced functions, such as those 
involving video and the Internet. 
The purpose of this bill is to establish educational technology clearinghouses to facilitate 
the donation of surplus equipment and technology to schools and libraries from governmental 
agencies, businesses, and other private entities.' 
~ 
~ ,O,~ 
. MIRIAM DEF~W;S~TL'fJO 
flI{ 
. 
• This bill was originally filed during the Thirteenth Congress, First Regular Session. 
I 
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, 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF TI-IE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF TI-IE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
'13 
NOV 14 P 4 :15 
SENATE' . 
S. No. 1922 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
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ESTABLISHING EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY CLEARINGHOUSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Educational Technology 
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Clearinghouse Act." 
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SECTION 2. Purpose. - It is the purpose of this Act to authorize a program to support 
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regional educational technology clearinghouses that facilitate the donation of surplus equipment 
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and technology to schools and libraries from governmental agencies, businesses, and other 
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private entities. 
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SECTION 3. Authority. - The Secretary of Education shall make grants to or enter into 
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contracts with regional public or private nonprofit entities for the purpose of supporting a system 
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of regional educational technology clearinghouses. 
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In awarding the grants or contract, the Secretary shall ensure that each geographic region 
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of the country is served by such an entity. 
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SECTION 4. Requirements. - Each entity receiving a grant or contract under this Act 
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shall-
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(A) 
In cooperation with regional program to support a clearinghouse that facilitates' 
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the transfer of surplus equipment and technology to schools and libraries from governmental 
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agencies, businesses, and other private entities; 
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(B) 
Disseminate information to regional educational agencies about the availability 
and procurement of the equipment and technology through the clearinghouse; 
(C) 
Disseminate information to the public about activities assisted under this Act, 
including information about the donations being accepted by the clearinghouse; 
(D) 
I-lave in place a process or ensuring that surplus equipment and technology is 
distributed in a fair and equitable manner, with school districts with tlie greatest need for such 
equipment and technology receiving priority for donations under this Act; 
(E) 
Provide technical assistance to a school or library to ensure the equipment and 
technology being donated is consistent with the short-term and long-term educational technology 
plans for the school or library, respectively; 
(F) 
Use funds under this Act to upgrade t)quipment or technology only if the entity 
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determines such upgrading meets the short-term and long-term educational plan of the school or 
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library receiving the equipment or technology; and 
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(G) 
Ensure that the transfer of equipment and technology does not violate copyright, 
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patents, or trademark laws. 
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SECTION 5. Authorization of Appropriations. - There are authorized to be appropriated 
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such sums as may be necessary for each fiscal year to carry out the provisions of this Act. 
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SECTION 6. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or 
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unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
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valid and subsisting. 
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SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
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order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, or regulation contrary to or inconsistent 
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with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly. 
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SECTION 8. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shaH take effect fifteen days (15) days after its 
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publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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,