Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by HON. JOY MYRA S. TAMBUNTING 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Digital technology has become a vital part of our lives. Through our smartphones, laptops, 
computers, tablets, and other technologies, we have at our fingertips a vast source of references 
and information which we could utilize to improve our lives. As useful and beneficial digital 
technology has been to our day-to-day transactions, it is also however used for harmful and 
unscrupulous activities. One pressing problem with the overwhelming amount of information 
readily available on the internet (and the widespread misinformation in social media) is knowing 
the veracity of data.  
As such, there is a need to introduce media and information literacy to the younger generations 
to encourage the responsible, productive, and ethical use of the internet. This measure proposes 
for the integration of media and information literacy programs into our basic education curriculum. 
Under this proposal, media and information literacy shall be incorporated as an essential 
component into the teaching of core subjects and enrichment activities of the students. It aims 
to incorporate in their daily learning routine exercises on content analysis, fact checking, 
information validation, among others that will be useful as they deal with the overwhelming 
amount of information online. Through this proposed measure, we hope  to develop a generation 
of creative and critical thinkers, and dynamic participants in our democratic processes. 
In addition, it seeks to re-establish the social media, through education, as powerful platforms of 
intellectual exchange of ideas, source of empowering information and meaningful discourse, 
rather than channels of hatred, disunity, and confusion.  
On behalf of the people of Parañaque City’s Second District, and for the common good of the 
Filipino people, the approval of the said measure is earnestly sought. 
REP. JOY MYRA S. TAMBUNTING 
2nd District, Parañaque City 
May 26, 2021
12:07 pm
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by HON. JOY MYRA S. TAMBUNTING 
AN ACT  
INTEGRATING MEDIA AND INFORMATION LITERACY IN BASIC EDUCATION 
CURRICULUM 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Media and Information Literacy Act”. 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. – The State recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-
building and promotes and protects their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-
being. The State also recognizes the role of all educational institutions in the inculcation of 
patriotism and nationalism, fostering love of humanity, respect for human rights, appreciation of 
the role of national heroes in the historical development of the country, teaching the rights and 
duties of citizenship, strengthening ethical and spiritual values, developing moral character and 
personal discipline, encouraging critical and creative thinking, broadening scientific and 
technological knowledge, and promoting vocational efficiency. 
Towards this end, the State shall formulate and implement educational policies that encourage 
critical and creative thinking, intellectual discipline, and civic participation and responsibility 
among the youth.  
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. – As used in this Act, “Media and Information Literacy” shall refer 
to a set of cognitive and practical skills in finding, accessing, organizing, evaluating, interpreting, 
and creating information across mass media and online platforms. Evaluation involves the analysis 
of the context, value, reliability, accuracy, and truthfulness of available information, reports, 
content,. data, and images.  
Sec. 4. Integration of Media and Information Literacy in Basic Education Curriculum. 
– It is hereby mandated that Media and Information Literacy shall be integrated into the basic
education curriculum implemented by the Department of Education (DepEd).
Media and Information Literacy shall be incorporated as an essential component into the teaching 
of core subjects and enrichment activities of the students. The DepEd shall develop instructional 
strategies, tools and pedagogies to implement this Act.  
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Sec. 5. Coverage of Media and Information Literacy Program. – Media and Information 
Literacy program shall promote active citizenship, respect for others, socio-cultural diversity, and 
honesty; train and develop creative and critical thinking; and encourage responsible use of online 
platforms. The program would include activities and exercises about source verification, content 
validation and analysis, fact- checking, information appreciation and comprehension, among 
others. 
 
Sec. 6. Review and assessment. – The DepEd shall conduct a periodic review of the 
integration of Media and Information Literacy program into the basic education curriculum to 
ensure its proper implementation and assess student learning outcomes for the purpose of 
determining its efficacy. An annual report shall be submitted to the Committees on Basic 
Education of both houses of Congress within thirty (30) days from the termination of the review 
and assessment.  
 
Sec. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within ninety (90) days from the effectivity 
of this Act, the DepEd, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, shall issue the necessary rules 
and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act. 
 
Sec. 8. Separability Clause. – If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or unconstitutional, 
the remainder of the law or the provision or part not otherwise affected shall remain valid and 
subsisting. 
 
Sec. 9. Repealing Clause. – Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive order, letter of 
instruction, administrative order, rule, or regulation contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions 
of this Act are hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly. 
 
Sec. 10. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the 
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
Approved,