TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE 
S. No. 904
af tl:r €t. -••tnp
25 AUG-5 P2:14
RECEIVED BV:
Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF THE FUTURE IN TECHNOLOGY 
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The public school system of the country has been historically plagued with 
numerous challenges. Various interventions have been undertaken over the years 
but there always remains a big gap between the mission and objectives of the 
government and the actual situation of the public education system.
According to the study of Childhope Philippines, "The Current Education 
Issues in the Philippines - and How Childhope Rises to the Challenge" published on 
August 25, 2021, "the Philippines doesn't invest on topnotch learning as compared 
to its neighbor countries. In fact, many public schools lack computers and other 
tools despite the digital age. Further, a shortfall in the number of public school 
teachers is also one of the top issues in the country due to their being among the 
lowest-paid state workers."
The latest available records of the Department of Education (DepEd) shows 
that during the school year 2020-2021, there are 39,193 public elementary schools, 
9,694 junior high schools, and 7,260 senior high schools in the entire country.


DepEd Databits1 issued on January 2022 highlighted the following data related to 
the Functional Computers and Internet Connectivity of public schools:
• 
More than eighty percent (80%) of public schools in all levels of basic 
education have functional computers
o 31,999 or 81.6% of elementary schools 
o 8,183 or 84.1% of junior high schools 
o 5,914 or 81.5% of senior high schools
• 
The total number of computers provided by the DepEd in public schools is 
1,828,196. These computer units are used for both academic and 
administrative purposes. Computers for academic use refer to those utilized 
in the classroom or laboratory as an aid to instruction. On the other hand, 
computers for administrative use are those used for encoding administrative 
data of the school.
o Most of the computer units given to schools are tablets, 
o Others are desktops, desktop virtual terminals, and notebooks or 
netbooks.
• 
As to the ratio of learners to computers, it is 1:19 is for elementary school 
where the total enrollment provided with computers is 10,914,758; 1:9 for 
junior high school where the total enrollment provided with computers is 
717,804; and 1:3 for senior high school where the total enrollment provided 
with computers is 1,768,449, all recorded in the database for school year 
2020-2021.
• 
The number of computer units provided in elementary school is 598,332; 
720,489 for junior high school; and 509,375 for senior high school.
• 
The percentage of public schools that have access to internet are 64.2% 
representing 25,150 elementary schools; 72.2% representing 6,996 junior 
high schools; and 67.3% representing 4,888 senior high schools.
• 
Less learners share a computer as the level of education goes higher. Region 
IV-A has the lowest ratio among all schools in all levels which means that 
there are fewer learners in the region who are sharing a computer with other 
learners.
1 DepEd Databits - Functional Computers and Internet Connectivity
2


• 
When it comes to access to internet, the National Capital Region has the 
highest percentage of elementary and junior high schools that are connected 
to the internet and Region III has the highest percentage for senior high 
school.
• 
From 2016 to 2020, the number of schools with functional computers showed 
a consistent increase for five (5) years except for elementary schools. While 
the number of junior and senior high schools are constantly increasing, the 
number of elementary schools only increased from 2016 to 2019, and then 
decreased the following year.
• 
Only the number of elementary schools has an increasing trend for five (5) 
consecutive years. The number of junior and senior high schools increased 
from 2016 to 2018, dropped in 2019, and then increased again in 2000.
In relation to these data, the action steps of the DepEd are the following:
• 
DepEd continues to provide computer packages and other ICT equipment to 
schools through the DepEd Computerization Program. DepEd is also 
connecting more schools to the internet and is bringing more teachers online.
• 
These interventions will help ensure that the learners' capability will be 
enhanced and the agency's agenda of promoting ICT-assisted learning and 
improving learners' competence in ICT will be achieved.
It should be acknowledged that concerned government agencies, particularly 
DepEd, constantly endeavors to fulfill its mandate of providing quality and accessible 
education for all. However, a comprehensive legal framework that will support the 
entire systems and structure, as well as the budgetary requirements of such 
mandate, is essential. There is a need to complement the existing efforts of the 
DepEd by capacitating the educators and learners to maximize the use of the 
gadgets and connectivity that is provided to them, and enabling them to transform 
hardwares and softwares to usable, practical and beneficial tools for their education 
and development.


The "Public Schools of the Future in Technology (PSOFT) Act' seeks to, 
among others, harness technological innovations, approaches, and instruments in 
the teaching and learning processes that will enhance the performance of students 
and teachers as well as create a system that will promote and regulate the use of 
digital technology in public education. To achieve this, the bill proposes to establish 
an Inter-agency Task Force to craft and implement the road map for the PSOFT, 
institutionalize a program for the integration of digital technology and innovation in 
public basic education through the PSOFT Road Map, and provide a public-private 
partnership (PPP) mechanism to facilitate the attainment of the objectives of the 
PSOFT Road Map.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate approval of this measure is earnestly
sought.
OY EJERCITO ESTRADA


^r’lvirr
TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
of r'jf ;
' y?
25 AUG-5 P2:14
S. No.
SENATE
904
RECEIVED BY.
Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF THE FUTURE IN TECHNOLOGY 
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Public Schools of the
2 
Future in Technology (PSOFT) Act".
3 
ARTICLE I
4 
POLICIES AND OBJECTIVES
5 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - Cognizant of the necessity of adopting
6 
innovative technologies to attain development in more positive and transformative
7 
ways, the State shall:
8 
a) Uphold the constitutional mandate to accords the highest priority to
9 
quality education by providing appropriate mechanisms and resources to
10 
ensure the enjoyment of quality education and services by all Filipino
11 
students, regardless of social and economic status;
12 
b) Harness technological innovations, approaches, and instruments in the
13 
teaching and learning processes that would enhance the performance 
of
14 
students and teachers;
15 
c) Provide all learners with the opportunity to enhance individual capabilities
16 
and knowledge through information 
and communications technology
17 
(ICT);


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d) Create a system that shall promote and regulate the use of digital 
technology in public education;
e) Enhance the learning experience of students by providing them access to 
digitized copies of necessary reference materials and digital and online 
content through the use of ICT and other related technologies for the 
advancement of education in the country;
f) Provide an accessible complementary mode of learning to allow students 
to continue their education during national health emergencies;
g) Encourage the wider participation of private groups, local government 
units (LGUs) and community-based organizations in content generation 
and the utilization of the broader sphere of science and technology; and
h) Promote public and private partnership in improving access to quality 
education and lifelong learning.
Sec. 3. Objectives. - This Act shall pursue the following objectives:
a) Establish an Inter-agency Task Force to craft and implement the road map 
for the PSOFT;
b) Institutionalize a program for the integration of digital technology and 
innovation in public basic education through the PSOFT Road Map;
c) Identify key components of the PSOFT Road Map; and
d) Provide a public-private partnership (PPP) mechanism to facilitate the 
attainment of the objectives of the PSOFT Road Map.
ARTICLE II
DEFINITION OF TERMS
Sec. 4. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act:
a) Fourth Industrial Revolution - refers to the ongoing automation of 
traditional manufacturing and industrial practices using modern smart 
technology by integrating advances in large-scale machine-to-machine 
communication, artificial intelligence, genetic engineering, the Internet of 
Things, and other technologies for increased automation, improved 
communication and self-monitoring, and production of smart machines 
that can analyze and diagnose issues without the need for human 
intervention;


1 
b) High Touch, High Tech Framework - refers to a policy framework
2 
supported by the United Nations Education Commission that espouses the
3 
need for educators to find a balance between the more modern
4 
electronically-delivered and digitally-supported method of teaching and the
5 
traditional face-to-face mode, the latter being teaching methods that are
6 
founded on a teacher's capability to identify develop, and improve an
7 
individual student's academic weakness;
8 
c) Internet safety poiicy - refers to an age-appropriate, research-based
9 
policy that regulates the safe, ethical and responsible use of the Internet
10 
in public education, promotes an informed and critical understanding of
11 
the Internet, and the education of children and communities about how to
12 
prevent or respond to problems or dangers related to the Internet and
13 
new media; and
14 
d) New media - refers to emerging digital, computerized, or network
15 
information and communications technologies that often have interactive
16 
capacities, which includes e-mail, instant messaging, text messaging, web
17 
sites, interactive gaming, social media, cellphones and mobile devices.
18 
ARTICLE III
19 
PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF THE FUTURE IN TECHNOLOGY
20 
Sec. 5. Pubiic Schoois of the Future in Technoiogy (PSOFT). - There is hereby
21 
instituted a PSOFT in all public elementary and secondary schools.
22 
The PSOFT shall adopt the following principles upon administering basic
23 
education in the public school system:
24 
a) Broaden and maximize the use of ICT to aid learning;
25 
b) Establish a system of upgrading and replacing outdated technology;
26 
c) Provide technical support to maintain ICT and other technology;
27 
d) Train and support teachers and students on ICT and other technology'
28 
e) Develop educators to use ICT effectively in the classroom;
29 
f) Ensure that the balance between modern and traditional methods of
30 
teaching are equally utilized to obtain optimum learning outcomes.
31 
Sec. 6. Creation of the PSOFT Inter-Agency Task Force (PSOFT-IATF). -
32 
There is hereby created the PSOFT-IATF.


1 
The PSOFT-IATF shall, in consultation with concerned non-government
2 
entities, including private companies, non-profit organizations, and private
3 
educational institutions, develop the PSOFT Road Map, a consolidation of
4 
development plans, programs and projects to be implemented by various
5 
departments and agencies of the national government for the purpose of advancing
6 
digital technology and innovation in public basic education.
7 
The PSOFT-IATF shall be composed of the Secretary of the Department of
8 
Education (DepEd) as Chairperson and the following as members: (1) Secretary of
9 
the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT); (2)
10 
Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST); (3) Secretary of
11 
the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA); (4) Secretary of the
12 
Department of Budget and Management (DBM); and (5) Director General of the
13 
Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA).
14 
The PSOFT-IATF shall finalize the PSOFT Road Map within twelve (12) months
15 
from the effectivity of this Act, in accordance with national development goals. The
16 
PSOFT Road Map shall be incorporated in the Philippine Development Plan.
17 
Subject to the approval of the DBM, the DepEd, DICT, and PhilSA may create
18 
positions as they deem necessary for the effective implementation of this Act, in
19 
accordance with civil service laws, rules and regulations.
20 
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) shall formulate a
21 
program extending assistance to marginalized and disadvantaged students to ensure
22 
that they may fully participate in the PSOFT Road Map.
23 
Sec. 7. PSOFT Road Map. - The PSOFT Road Map shall serve as the basis for
24 
programs and projects aimed at improving the quality of education though the use
25 
of digital technology.
26 
The PSOFT Road Map shall be subject to review and amendment, if
27 
necessary, every three (3) years.
28 
Sec. 8. Components of the Road Map. - The PSOFT Road Map shall include
29 
the following:
30 
a) Physical and Technological Infrastructure
31 
1) Universal Access to Internet for Public Schools
32 
2) Annual Investment Program for ICT Devices, Tools and Equipment


1 
b) Enhanced Digital Education Program
2 
1) National Human Resource Development
3 
2) Training and Development of DepEd personnel
4 
c) Digital Reforms in Public School Administration
5 
1) Internet Safety Policy
6 
2) Strengthening the Enhanced Basic Education Information System
7 
(EBEIS)
8 
3) Digital Alternative Learning System (ALS)
9 
d) Development of Online Learning Portals
10 
1) DepEd E-Learning Resources
11 
2) Public Online Library
12 
ARTICLE IV
13 
PHYSICAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL INFRASTRUCTURE
14 
Sec. 9. Universal Access to the Internet in Public Schools. - All public basic
15 
education schools shall be provided access to the Internet for the purpose of
16 
reducing the disparity in computing and information technology knowledge among
17 
public school learners and raising the standards of Philippine education.
18 
In addition to traditional means of accessing the Internet, such as
19 
commercially available connections or existing land-based initiatives of government
20 
programs to expand access to the Internet, the PSOFT Road Map shall exhaust all
21 
options in ensuring internet connectivity for all public schools.
22 
In order to provide the remote areas with digital connectivity, the PSOFT
23 
Road Map shall provide cost-effective options of establishing a telecommunication
24 
satellite or installing fiber optic technology infrastructure as part of the National
25 
Government Program under the DICT, DOST and PhilSA.
26 
The necessary funding for the conduct of studies to determine the feasibility
27 
of implementing a Telecommunication Satellite Program, through building, purchase,
28 
or lease of a satellite, shall be appropriated in accordance with the PSOFT Road
29 
Map.
30 
Sec. 10. ICT Devices, Tools and Equipment - The DepEd shall provide the
31 
following equipment and services in all public elementary and secondary schools:


1 
personal computers (PCs), laptops, tablets, learning devices, digital classroom
2 
equipment and internet and hybrid intranet connectivity.
3 
The PSOFT Road Map shall include a plan for the procurement of PCs, laptops
4 
or tablets for the educational needs of all elementary and secondary public schools.
5 
All learners will be provided with the necessary learning devices as stipulated in the
6 
PSOFT Road Map. Should budgetary constraints prevent the attainment of such
7 
target, the national government shall endeavour to meet a ratio of one (1) device for
8 
every two (2) learners from Grades 4-6 to ensure that learners can make use of
9 
productivity tools in the conduct of regular classes. The national government shall
10 
also maintain one (1) device for every fifteen (15) learners in high school level to
11 
ensure that learners can avail of weekly classes on ICT topics that require higher
12 
computing power.
13 
The PSOFT Road Map shall provide for the establishment of functional digital
14 
classrooms in all public schools. Digital classrooms shall be equipped with digital
15 
boards, computers, wireless router, multimedia projector, printer, and other
16 
necessary tools and devices.
17 
The PSOFT Road Map shall likewise provide for stable and reliable internet
18 
and hybrid intranet connectivity. Educators in public schools shall make use of ICT
19 
and hybrid intranet connectivity as presentation tools to complement traditional
20 
teaching methods. The DepEd, with the technical assistance of DICT, shall develop
21 
an administrative system in all public schools utilizing hybrid intranet connectivity in
22 
order to enhance organizational management and administration, and streamline
23 
front office procedures.
24 
Sec. 11. PSOFT Pilot Schools. - The national government shall establish
25 
PSOFT pilot schools in the academic year following the effectivity of this Act. The
26 
pilot schools shall be located in Metro Manila, Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao and shall
27 
fully comply with the requirements of Article IV in this Act, as follows:
28 
a) The pilot school shall have full, unrestricted access to the internet and for
29 
this purpose shall be equipped with wireless technology or such other
30 
modes of connectivity that may be developed: Provided, That school
31 
administrators shall closely supervise the access of learners to content in
32 
order to protect them from inappropriate, violent, or immoral material;


1 
b) Teachers shall be adequately trained in all technologies that the pilot
2 
schools shall adopt for the use of learners;
3 
c) All pilot schools shall employ trained information technology specialists to
4 
assist faculty and learners; and
5 
d) All pilot schools shall provide each teacher and learner with the
6 
appropriate ICT devices, tools and equipment to ensure optimum
7 
satisfaction in both the teaching and learning experiences.
8 
The DepEd shall, in coordination with NEDA, conduct an impact study of the
9 
pilot schools to determine its potential in improving the quality of education,
10 
Additional pilot schools may be established in the following years, subject to the
11 
availability of funds and through cooperative arrangements with LCDs and the public
12 
sector.
13 
ARTICLE V
14 
ENHANCED DIGITAL EDUCATION
15 
Sec. 
12. National Human Resource Development - Students in public
16 
elementary and secondary schools must be prepared for the disruptive technologies
17 
that come with the Fourth Industrial Revolution and have a significant impact on
18 
skills requirements and on creating a range of opportunities for them in the future.
19 
To better equip students to overcome the challenges enabled by ever-
20 
increasing technological change and to improve student engagement and
21 
achievement, they shall be provided with introductory courses on foundational
22 
technology that will enhance their future competencies. The DepEd shall determine
23 
the content and mode of delivery of such foundational technology courses and shall
24 
introduce them in the curriculum in the school year following the effectivity of this
25 
Act.
26 
To allow students to acquire the appropriate aptitudes and competencies on
27 
these courses, the PSOFT Road Map shall provide 
for the establishment of
28 
innovation 
hubs in every school to enable students to hone their skills and
29 
techniques using a wide variety of physical and digital tools and equipment. The
30 
innovation hubs shall allow teachers and learners to carry out technology-based
31 
projects that address local problems in the community.


1 
In addition to the standard ICT curriculum taught for basic education in the
2 
public schools, the DepEd shall endeavor to Include the following subject matters in
3 
its curriculum:
4 
a) Respecting and protecting personal information on the Internet;
5 
b) Understanding computer security systems;
6 
c) Online gender sensitivity;
7 
d) Proper use of social media and social networking;
8 
e) Responsible and ethical use of the Internet, photographic equipment,
9 
smart phones, and other equipment of similar nature; and
10 
f) Insights of Republic Act No. 10175 or the "Cybercrime Prevention Act" and
11 
other related legislation.
12 
Sec. 13. Training and Deveiopment of DepEd Personnel. - The PSOFT Road
13 
Map shall determine the training and development needs of school administrators,
14 
teachers, and personnel with respect to ICT.
15 
To ensure that teachers are technologically knowledgeable and well-equipped
16 
with the right aptitudes and competencies, the DepEd shall establish and Education
17 
Technology Division that shall implement teaching programs and utilize technology-
18 
based instruction aids for the effective and efficient performance of teachers under
19 
the PSOFT Road Map. The DICT shall extend its support in the implementation of
20 
training for teachers on ICT, through its ICT Literacy Competency and Development
21 
Bureau.
22 
The National Educators Academy of the Philippines shall carry out training
23 
programs for educators in public schools and integrate ICT in classroom learning and
24 
instruction to highlight the professional and educational benefits that may be derived
25 
from personally investing in ICT.
26 
ARTICLE VI
27 
DEVELOPMENT OF ONLINE LEARNING PORTALS
28 
Sec. 14. DepEd E-Learning Resources. - The DepEd shall develop an online
29 
portal that provides access or links to Internet learning resources. The online portal
30 
shall include the following: e-books and videos, learning materials and teachers
31 
guides, materials for high school subjects ranging from math, disaster


1 
readiness, and science, materials on science, agriculture, livelihood and information
2 
technology, interactive exercises on math, science, history and economics.
3 
The DepEd shall develop its own library to ensure the quality and safety of
4 
knowledge and information made available to learners.
5 
Sec. 15. Public Online Library. - The PSOFT Road Map shall include the
6 
establishment of the Public Online Library.
7 
The DepEd, DICT, DOST, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and
8 
the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) shall, in
9 
partnership with the National Library of the Philippines (NLP), the National Book
10 
Development Board (NBDB), and other concerned government agencies, develop
11 
and main the Public Online Library, a repository of educational materials and
12 
digitized copies of books and publications suitable for Filipino students and
13 
researchers that shall enrich the learning experience by complementing the
14 
textbooks and reference materials prescribed for the elementary and secondary
15 
levels. The Public Online Library shall be directly connected to the website of the
16 
Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). The DepEd and the NLP shall have joint custody
17 
over the digitized copies of textbooks and references in the Public Online Library
18 
which shall be jointly managed by the DepEd and the DICT. In this regard, the DICT
19 
shall ensure the security of the online repository system to guarantee its integrity.
20 
The DepEd may solicit additional reference materials and publications from
21 
the NLP, other agencies of the government, and the private sector to augment its
22 
resources.
23 
The authors of the digitized books and publications shall be strictly covered by
24 
the protection provided for in Republic Act No. 8293, as amended, otherwise known
25 
as the "Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines". The DepEd and all concerned
26 
agencies shall ensure that the authors of the digitized books and publications shall
27 
be properly remunerated in accordance with law.
28 
ARTICLE VII
29 
DIGITAL REFORM IN PUBLIC SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION
30 
Sec. 16. Internet Safety Policy. - To advance the objective of providing a safe
31 
and secured education program under the PSOFT Road Map, the DepEd shall, within
32 
six (6) months after the effectivity of this Act, formulate and enforce an internet


1 
safety in order to regulate students' access to content especially against visual
2 
depictions that are obscene, pornographic and harmful to minors. In this regard, the
3 
internet safety policy shall be implemented to accomplish the following objectives:
4 
a) Development and implementation of Internet safety education, including
5 
safe access to educational technology, multimedia and interactive
6 
applications, and online resources;
7 
b) Development of online risk interventions for learners and children;
8 
c) Training and support to stakeholders on peer-driven Internet safety
9 
educations initiatives;
10 
d) Undertaking of researches on online risks to form the bases for Internet
11 
safety education syllabi and instructional material development;
12 
e) Development and implementation of a public education campaign to
13 
promote awareness of online risks to learners and children; and
14 
f) Education of parents to augment school initiatives on safe Internet use.
15 
Sec. 17. Strengthening the Enhanced Basic Education Information System
16 
(EBEIS). - The EBEIS shall be the central school database of the DepEd which shall
17 
contain pertinent personal data and school records of students. It shall be
18 
continually improved to ensure the efficient management of school records.
19 
School administrators and personnel shall be trained on the operation and
20 
access of the EBEIS and be given access to student records and other related data in
21 
the EBEIS such as student's school attendance record, records pertaining to the
22 
character of a student, the level of the student's digital literacy and proficiency,
23 
grade level, examination scores, school performance, immunization and health
24 
records, among others, for purposes of recording student biographical data, handling
25 
admissions and discharges, and transferring to other schools.
26 
Any person who is caught illegally altering, falsifying or misusing student
27 
information in the EBEIS shall be sanctioned in accordance with R.A. 10173,
28 
otherwise known as the "Data Privacy Act of 2012".
29 
Sec. 18. Digitai Aiternative Learning System. - The DepEd shall institute a
30 
digital format of the ALS in the PSOFT Road Map. To attain this objective, the DepEd
31 
shall provide professional training to teachers and non-teaching personnel involved
32 
in this program and formulate the necessary guidelines for its implementation.
10


1 
ARTICLE VIII
2 
PARTNERSHIP MECHANISM AND ROLES OF PARTNERS
3 
Sec. 19. Partnership Mechanism and Roies of Partners. - In the furtherance of
4 
the PSOFT Road Map, the DepEd may coordinate and enter into an agreement or
5 
contract with other government agencies, LGUs, private and non-profit agencies,
6 
institutions or organizations duly accredited or recognized by the government, civil
7 
society, business and industrial sector, and other concerned sectors.
8 
The PSOFT Road Map shall define and delineate the areas of responsibility of
9 
government agencies in conformity with their respective charters and mandates. For
10 
purposes of this Act, these agencies shall have the following roles:
11 
a) The DepEd shall be the lead government agency responsible for the
12 
proper and effective implementation of the various provisions of this Act
13 
and ensure coordination and collaboration among agencies of the
14 
government;
15 
b) The DICT shall provide advice on matters relating to ICT and closely
16 
coordinate and collaborate in the implementation of this Act. It shall
17 
undertake the installation, maintenance, and operation of hybrid intranet
18 
connectivity in all public basic education schools, provide an efficient and
19 
reliable broadband connection, assist in the implementation of training and
20 
development for teachers concerning ICT and ICT-assisted instructions,
21 
and coordinate and collaborate in the provision of digital connectivity in
22 
public schools.
23 
c) The PhilSA shall advise and collaborate with DepEd on matters concerning
24 
the use of space technology and relevant space-enabled services to
25 
implement the provisions of this Act.
26 
d) The DOST, CHED, TESDA, DILG, NLP, NBDB, PSA, the LGUs, and other
27 
concerned government agencies mentioned in this Act shall provide
28 
support and assistance for the attainment of the purposes of the PSOFT.
29 
Sec. 20. Public-Private Partnership (PPP) for PSOFT. - The DepEd may pursue
30 
PPPs from any of the modalities under R.A. 6957, as amended by R.A. 7718,
31 
entitled, "An Act Authorizing the Financing, Construction, and Operation and
11


1 
Maintenance of Infrastructure Projects by the Private Sector, and For Other
2 
Purposes".
3 
To this end, the DepEd shall, in consultation with the PPP Center of the
4 
Philippines created under Executive Order No. 9, series of 2010, entitled
5 
"Reorganizing the Build-Operate and Transfer Center to the Public-Private
6 
Partnership Center of the Philippines and Transferring its Attachment from the
7 
Department of Trade and Industry to the National Economic and Development
8 
Authority and For Other Purposes," establish a PPP Unit to coordinate all matters
9 
relating to PPP, in accordance with the PSOFT Road Map. It shall likewise coordinate
10 
with the Project Development and Monitoring Facility of the PPP Center in the
11 
conduct of feasibility studies and the preparation of tender documents for the PPP
12 
projects of the DepEd.
13 
ARTICLE IX
14 
AUTHORITY TO RECEIVE DONATIONS
15 
Sec. 21. Authority to Receive Donations. - The DepEd is authorized to accept
16 
grants, contributions, donations, endowments, or bequests in cash or kind from local
17 
and foreign sources in support of the development and implementation of this Act,
18 
subject to the regular auditing guidelines and procedures: Provided, That in case of
19 
donations from foreign sources, acceptance thereof shall be subject to existing
20 
government rules and regulations. The proceeds of such grants, contributions,
21 
donations, endowments, or bequests shall be used to finance the following:
22 
a) Establishment of pilot schools as provided in Section 11 of this Act;
23 
b) Research, development and utilization of emerging digital technologies;
24 
c) Provisions of computer laptop units and improvement of ICT
25 
infrastructure, including hardware and Internet connectivity;
26 
d) Training and capacity building;
27 
e) Conduct of other activities necessary to carry out the objectives of this
28 
Act.
29 
ARTICLE X
30 
FINAL PROVISIONS
12


1 
Sec. 22. Annual Report. - The DepEd shall submit to both Houses of
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Congress, or upon the request by the Joint Congressional Oversight Committee, a
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report giving a detailed account of the status of the implementation of this Act.
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Sec. 23. Appropriations. - The Secretaries of Education and Information and
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Communications Technology and the Director General of PhilSA shall immediately
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include in their respective programs the implementation of this Act, the funding of
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which shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
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The funding for the implementation of PSOFT Pilot Schools under Section 11
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hereof shall be charged against the current year's appropriation of the DepEd.
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Sec. 24. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within one hundred twenty
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(120) days from the effectivity of this Act, the DepEd and DICT shall, in coordination
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with other concerned agencies of the government and the private stakeholders,
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promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of
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this Act.
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Sec. 25. 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 or part not otherwise
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affected shall remain valid and subsisting.
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Sec. 26. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance,
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executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, or regulation
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contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed,
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modified, or amended accordingly.
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Sec. 27. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,
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