Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES oy
Quezon City

os
RECEIVED

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO.

3403

Introduced by Representative JOEY SARTE SALCEDA

AN ACT
PROHIBITING THE USE OF CELLULAR PHONES AND
SIMILAR DIGITAL DEVICES DURING CLASSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Cellphones and digital devices are so ubiquitous to the point that its use has
become so closely intertwined with our daily routine and activities. It has revolutionized
the way people do things, especially how we communicate with each other. Digital
2019, a report from Hootsuite and We are Social showing people's online behavior
around the world, said Filipinos spend an average of 10:02 hours a day on the internet
— on any device. Filipinos also spent the most time on social media at four hours and
12 minutes on average per day. It also noted that the country has the highest female
ratio on Twitter at 63 percent, and Instagram at 64 percent. The report also noted that
Social media penetration in the country is at 71 percent, above the worldwide average
of 45 percent, the report said. Some 79 million Filipinos aged 13 and older are also on
social media, it added. Overall, there are 76 million internet users in the country, and
all of them are on some form of social media. Seventy-two million Filipinos access
them via a mobile device.

Concededly, use of cellphones and other digital devices has many benefits in
many areas of human concern like business, work, and school or simply for
communicating with friends and family. Cellphones and other devices used in today's
world allow users to do a variety of tasks like sending and receiving text messages,
emails, photos and video as well as access the Internet, play games, listen to music, use
GPS (Global Positioning Systems) and more. However, much like any other
technological device, the use of mobile phones is Janus faced. With its many
advantages, these smart devices can also cause distraction and disruption to work and
school activities especially among the youth.


This bill seeks to prohibit, with few exceptions, cellphones and other digital
devices to use or access, irrespective of duration, for any student in all private and public
kindergarten, elementary, and secondary (including senior high school) educational
institutions within the classroom or any area, whether or not within the school premises,
where teaching lessons or activities are performed. For purposes of this proposed bill,
every school is required to establish a device depositary office where students can
deposit their phones and gadgets upon entering the school premises.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly soyght.

: Ces
JOEY $s 'E SALCEDA



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 3403

Introduced by Representative JOEY SARTE SALCEDA

AN ACT
PROHIBITING THE USE OF CELLULAR PHONES AND
SIMILAR DIGITAL DEVICES DURING CLASSES

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

SECTION 1. Title. — This Act shall be known as the “No Cellphone during Classes
Act.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — The State shall establish, maintain and support a
complete, adequate, and integrated system of education relevant to the needs of the people, the

country and society-at-large.

SEC. 3. Coverage. ~ This Act shall cover all private and public kindergarten,
elementary, secondary (including senior high school) and tertiary educational institutions,

SEC. 4. Regulation of cellphone use in schools. — Except in cases of emergencies and
teaching programs that necessitate the use of cellular phones and smart devices, it is hereby
prohibited for any student of a covered institution to use or access, irrespective of duration,
cellular phones, smart phones and any similar digital device within the classroom or any area,
whether or not within the school premises, where teaching lessons or activities are performed.

All covered educational institutions shall implement policies to ensure that students

comply with the above-stated provision


SEC. 5. Device Depositary. —Every school is mandated to establish a device depositary
office where students can deposit their phones and gadgets upon entering the school premises.

SEC. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within ninety (90) days from the
effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of the Department of Education shall issue implementing
rules and regulations to carry out the objectives of this Act, in consultation with the private
sector.

SEC. 7. Separability Clause. — The provisions of this Act are hereby declared to be
separable. If any provision of this Act shall be held unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act

not otherwise affected shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. — All laws, executive orders, rules and regulations, or parts
thereof inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 9. Effectivity. ~ This Act shall take effect within fifteen (15) days from its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,