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R77

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

Sid

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representative GERALDINE B. ROMAN

EXPLANATORY NOTE

In an increasingly digitized world, creating globally-competitive Filipinos
requires a citizenry that is literate insofar as utilizing information and
communications technology is concemed. Ensuring that students are well-trained in
using computers for educational purposes no longer is a luxury. Rather, it is a
necessity which — when ignored — is bound to leave a people behind as the world
progresses in an information superhighway.

Digitizing textbooks and establishing the Philippine Online Library creates
more opportunities because students are able to enhance their learning experience,
especially while in provinces, municipalities, and barangays that are so remote that
constructing and maintaining quality library buildings in schools are impractical
Students would be immersed in a digital world where education takes the stead of
online gaming or, as in the case for most students, ignorance. The Department of
Information and Communications Technology can be tasked to ensure seamless and
reliable internet access in primary and secondary public schools for the purpose of
accessing this online educational library,

As for the procurement of computers necessary for the immediate
implementation of this Act, the Department of Education can start by tapping into the
old computers of government agencies, GOCCs, and GFls as they procure new ones.
The Department of Education can deploy these for the use of students nationwide.
This should offset the initial expenses related to the effective implementation of the
provisions of this Act.


For these reasons, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

; ro
/GERALDINE B. ROMAN


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 2 OME

Introduced by Representative GERALDINE B. ROMAN

AN ACT
DIGITIZING ALL BOOKS NECESSARY FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION AND
ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE ONLINE LIBRARY, PROVIDING FUNDS
THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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 “Philippine Online Library
Act of 2017.”

Section 2. Declaration of Policy — It shall be the policy of the State to ensure that its
citizens are computer literate and are provided access to an increasingly digitized
world. Thus, the State shall provide its citizens with the opportunity to increase their
adaptability with information and communications technology, and to enhance their
learning experience by providing access to digitized copies of textbooks necessary
for the provision of quality primary and secondary education.

Section 3. Philippine Online Library — The Department of Education shall create a
digitized copy of all textbooks and reference books it deems necessary for the public
education of Philippine elementary and secondary students. This shall be compiled in
the Philippine Online Library which shall be jointly managed by the Department of
Education and the Department of Information and Communications Technology

Section 4. Provision for Access to the Digitized Copies of Textbooks — The
Department of Education shall ensure access to the digitized copies of textbooks by
providing computers to all primary and secondary public schools nationwide


Similarly, in order to ensure access to the digitized copies of textbooks, the
Department of Information and Communications Technology shall provide fast and
reliable internet access to each primary and secondary public school

Section 5. Recycling of Computers — In order to offset expenses related to the
procurement of computers necessary for the immediate execution of the provisions of
this Act, national government agencies, government-owned and controlled
corporations, and other government financial institutions which shall procure new
computers shall endorse their old units to the Department of Information and
Communications Technology to check if the computers can still be used for the intent
of this Act and afterwards shall be given to the Department of Education for
deployment to primary and secondary public schools nationwide

Section 6. Additional Online Educational Materials- The Department of Education
can tap the National Library of the Philippines to complement the Philippine Online
Library’s digital repository of textbooks with additional materials that is
representative of Filipino culture and literature. DepEd shall also be allowed to add
other online materials that it deems necessary for expanding the learning
opportunities for students.

Section 7. Custody over Digitized Copies of Textbooks — The Department of
Education and the National Library of the Philippines shall have joint custody over
the digitized copies of the textbooks. The Department of Information and
Communications Technology shall likewise ensure the technological management of
the digital repository to ensure the integrity of the system.

Section 8. Appropriations — The initial amount of Five Hundred Million (Php
500,000,000.00) shall be appropriated for the immediate implementation of this act
and shall be jointly managed by the Department of Education and by the Department
of Information and Communications Technology. An annual budget of One Hundred
Million (Php 100,000,000.00) will be included in the annual budget of the
Department of Education to make sure that the computers and internet connection of
public schools for the purpose of this Act will be maintained.

Section 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations — The Department of Education, the
Department of Information and Communications Technology, and the National
Library of the Philippines shall have joint responsibility over the formulation of the
Implementing Rules and Regulations necessary for the effective execution and
enforcement of this Act. They shall do so in close coordination with the Department
of Science and Technology, and other stakeholders.The Implementing Rules and
Regulations shall be released within ninety (90) days from the approval of this Act.


Section 10. Repealing Clause — All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, rules
and regulations, and parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this
Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Section 11. Separability Clause — If, for any reason, any section or provision of this
Act, or any portion thereof, or the application of such section, provision, or portion to
any person, group, or circumstance is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the
remainder of this Act or the application of such section, provision, or portion thereof
to other persons, groups, or circumstances shall not be affected by such declaration.

Section 12. Effectivity — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its
publication in three (3) newspapers of general circulation

Approved,