Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 920

Introduced by Honorable Czarina D. Umali

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The framers of our constitution took cognizance of and enshrined in our
fundamental law a policy that gives priority to science and technology. Section 10,
Article XIV states that “science and technology are essential for national development
and progress. It shall likewise support indigenous, appropriate and self reliant scientific
and technological capabilities and their application to the country’s productive system
and national life.”

This mandate notwithstanding government is unable to give life to this policy
direction as progress and development in the field of technology in our country continue
to rely mainly on private sector initiatives. In education, for instance, we see the
mushrooming of various technical and information technology (IT) schools established
by private entities to address the growing demand for technologically trained workforce.

‘The downside, however, is that these private technical schools present the only
available option to students desiring to obtain technical and IT-related education. The
fees required for technical and IT education, however are beyond the reach of most of our
countrymen.

It is expedient, therefore, that the government provide our high school graduates
with a better and affordable option in the matter of technical education. With the
establishment of technical and information technology schools in all regions in the
country that will offer free and/or affordable technical education to high school
graduates, we will be ensuring a continuous generation of highly trained graduates at par
with the best in the world.

In view thereof, support and approval of the proposed measure is eamestly

sought.
Z
pins, B- male
Hon. €ZARINA D. UMALI

Representative
3" Dist. Nueva Ecija


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

‘ 920

House Bill No.

Introduced by Honorable Czarina D. Umali

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF TECHNICAL INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY SHOOLS IN ALL THE REGIONS OF THE PHILIPPINES
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. There shall be established in all the Regions of the Philippines,
information technology schools under the supervision of the Department of Science and
Technology, in collaboration and coordination with the Department of Education,
Commission on Higher Education and Technical Education and Skills Development
Authority, which shall offer free technical with information technology courses to high
school graduates.

SECTION 2. The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) shall be the
lead agency in formulating the courses to be offered and the curriculum for each course.

SECTION 3. Graduates of public secondary schools in the respective regions
shall be given priority admission.

SECTION 4. The Department of Science and Technology shall immediately
issues the necessary rules and regulations so as to make the schools operational in the
school year following the approval of this Act.

SECTION 5. The amount necessary for the implementation of this Act shall be
charged to the appropriations of the Department of Science and Technology under the
General Appropriations Act. Thereafter, such sum as may be necessary for the operation
and maintenance of the schools shall be included in the annual General Appropriations
Act.


SECTION 6. All laws, decrees, executive orders, proclamations, rules and
regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with any provision of this Act are hereby
repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 7. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved.