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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE! REPUBLIC ) 
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First Regular Session 
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S E N A T  
S.B No 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 2 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%' century Equipping schools with technology is no longer a luxury, it is a necessity 
Technology in the classroom improves students' mastery of basic sltills, 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 
telecoinrnunications 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. 
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1 
THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
First Regular Session 
OF THE PHILIPPNES 
S E N A T  
S . B  No 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY CLEARlNGHOUSES 
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,Be if ei?lrcfed by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Cong~ess assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be Itnowri as the "Educational 
Technology Clearinghouse Act". 
SECTION 2. Purpose. - It is the purpose of this Act to authorize a program to 
support regional educational technology clearinghouses that facilitate the donation of 
surplus equipment and technology to schools and libraries from governmental agencies, 
businesses, and other private entities. 
SECTION 3 .  Authorily. 
(A) 1N GENERAL - The Secretary of Education 
shall make grants to or enter into contracts with regional public or private nonprofit 
entities for the purpose of supporti~lg a system of regional educational technology 
clearinghouses. 
In awarding the grants or contract, the Secretary shall ensure that each geographic 
region of the country is served by such an entity. 
SECTIQN 4. Requirements. - Each entity 
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Act shall- 
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(A) 
In cooperation with regional program to support a clearinghouse that 
facilitates the transfer of surplus equipment and technology to schools and libraries froin 
governmental agencies, businesses, and other private entities; 
(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) 
Have in place a process or ensuring that surplus equipment and technology 
is distributed in a fair and equitable manner, with school districts with the 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 plan! for the school or library, respectively; 
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(F) 
Use finds under this Act to upgrade equipment or technology only if the 
entity determines such upgrading meets the short-term and long-term educational plan of 
the school or library receiving the equipment or technology; and 
(G) 
Ensure that the transfer of equipment and technology does not violate 
copyright, patents, or trademark laws. 
SECTION 5. Authorization of Appropriations. - There are authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this Act such ums as may be necessary for each fiscal year to 
carry out the provisions of this Act 
SECTION 6. Separabilifj Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid 
or unconstitutional, the remainder ofthe law or the provision not otherwise affected shall 
remain valid and subsisting. 
SECTION 8. Repealing Clciuse. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to, 


or inconsistent with, the provision of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended 
accordingly. 
SECTION 9. Effeectivit), 
Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen days (15) 
days after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation 
Approved. 
En: 1475