EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE

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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 13 GATE:SCT_16
Second Regular Session »® 24
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

HOUSE BILL No. 7892

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE VIRGILIO S. LACSON

EXPLANATORY NOTE

No less than the Constitution recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-building. For this
reason, it gives primacy to the value of education as enshrined in Section 17 of Article II of the
1987 Constitution, which mandates that the State shall give priority to education, science
education, science and technology, arts, culture, and sports to foster patriotism and nationalism,
accelerate social progress, and promote total human liberation and development. But the ideals
set forth by the highest law of the land can be achieved only through the State’s fervor in
recognizing the constant evolution in the field of education and improvements in current
pedagogical methods - which it has failed to do for the longest time.

‘While the COVID-19 is first and foremost a health crisis, its effects have trickled down to other
sectors, such as the education sector. Because of the pandemic, education is moving online in an
unprecedented and unforeseen manner. Suddenly, blackboards are outmoded, classrooms are
obsolete, and schools are empty. Everything is changing, and it seems that our educational system
cannot keep up.

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the State of neglect in our public school education system. It
made glaring the fact that the nation falls behind in terms of equipping our public school teachers
with the necessary tools to adapt to a disrupted educational sphere.

‘About 24.7 million elementary and high school students enrolled for the Academic Year 2020 —
2021. But many of our public school teachers remain fazed by the challenges brought by the
‘mode of instruction in the new normal. Our teachers are called upon to immediately adapt to
blended learning, which involves both online and offline methods of instruction.

‘At present, the efforts in providing our teachers with financial and equipment aid are localized.
‘While the actions of our local governments are highly valued, these actions still fall short in terms
of guaranteeing that each and every public school teacher throughout the country is well-
equipped with the technological advances essential in shifting to blended learning.

Whereas the measures provided in this bill have been long overdue, there has never been a more
wanting time for the State to address a pressing concern in our: education system — that is the lack
of technological resources among our public school teachers.



This bill aims to mandate the provision of computers, web cameras, and internet connection
devices to our public school teachers to enable them to perform their duties in this time of blended
Jeaming and provide for allowances for internet connectivity to complement the use of the tools
above mentioned. This bill will ensure that our teachers are equipped to mold the next generation
of Filipinos into full-fledged and productive members of our Society. It is through this Bill that
we can, in one way, realize the potential of the youth and achieve the ideals set forth in our
Constitution.

In light of the foregoing, the passage of this Bill is eamestly sought.

oe
VIRGILIG S. LACSON
Manila Teachers Party List


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
Second Regular Session

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
HOUSE BILL NO. 7892

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE VIRGILIO S. LACSON

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR COMPUTERS AND OTHER RELATED TECHNICAL EQUIPMENT
FOR ALL PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR.

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 “Teachers Tech Up Act of 2020.”

Section 2, Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby declared the policy of the State to assure
the effective and efficient delivery of public education, and in doing so, provide adequate equipment
and resources to our public schoo! teachers, aiding them in their preparation and delivery of their
lessons and classes, remotely and face-to-face. Accordingly, the State shall provide every public school
teacher with computers, web cameras, internet connection devices, and other necessary technical
equipment, in addition to those already provided by the State for the execution of their mandate.

Section 3. Provision of computers, web cameras, internet connection devices and other
necessary technical equipment. — Every public school teacher shall be provided a computer with all
the necessary implements such as updated operating systems and applications, complete software and
hardware to render it sufficient, capable, and reasonably usable in real world settings for the
preparation and delivery of school lessons, a web camera with the specifications to deliver clear and
high resolution videos and images to facilitate distance learning, and an internet connection device,
such as but not limited to routers, portable wi-fi routers, wi-fi adaptors, to ensure stable internet
connectivity for the execution of their mandate to instruct and to educate in an efficient and effective
manner.

Section 4. Provision for necessary maintenance and upkeep of equipment provided for
in the preceding Section. — Any necessary expense for maintenance, upkeep, update of hardware or
software due to reasonable use or outdating thereof shall be born by the State, but to be done by
authorized service providers relating to the brand of the computer. Each computer provided to a public
school teacher shall be of such quality to be expected to be reasonably usable according to the purpose
ofits issuance for at least five (5) years. After such period from the date of the issuance of the computer,
the teacher may seek the replacement by surrendering the same for a computer of equal or better


specification and usability according to what is publicly available at the time of replacement. Such
computers shall be owned by the State and held by the public school teachers in trust for the benefit
of the State.

Section 5. Provision for internet connectivity allowance. — Each teacher, to complement
the use of the tools provided to them herein, shall also be provided an allowance to ensure connectivity
or internet access, with at least eight (8) gigabytes of data monthly.

Section 6. Implementing Rules. - The Department of Education and the Department of
Budget and Management, as well as other concerned government agencies shall promulgate within
thirty (30) days from the effectivity of this Act implementing rules and regulations of this Act.

Section 7. Funding. — At the time of the effectivity of this Act, an amount of sixty
thousand pesos (P50,000.00) per Public School teacher per annum shall be appropriated, thereafter the
amount necessary to implement this Act shall be charged against the appropriations of the Department
of Education (DepEd) of the year following its enactment into law and thereafter.

Section 8. Periodic Review for increases. — The Secretary of Education is hereby
mandated to conduct a periodic review of the items of herein, taking into account the current rates of
the necessary and incidental goods or services, and recommend any necessary increase in allowance
or upgrade or update in the subject goods or services.

Section 9. Separability Clause. — If any provision or part of this Act is declared invalid or
‘unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall remain in full force and effect.

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

Section 11. _ Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette or in any newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,