Republic of the Philippines

DATE _30 JUN 2975

Bouse of Representatives * TIME 7;
Quezon City, Metro Manila e. By
xy
TWENTIETH CONGRESS:
First Regular Session
9
HOUSE BILL NO. __ © 35

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE ALYSSA MICHAELA “MICA” M. GONZALES

AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING A DIGITIZED EDUCATION SYSTEM IN PUBLIC
SCHOOLS FROM GRADES K TO 12 TO BE IMPLEMENTED BY THE
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREOF

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Covid-19 pandemic destroyed lives, devastated world economies and
effectively disrupted our educational system. But at the same time, it taught us to be
creative in facing unfortunate events such as this magnitude. One of the major
remedies to combat this pandemic is to maximize our use of high technology thru
internet facilities.

In improving our educational system now, there is a need to institutionalize a
digitized educational system to public schoois’ K-12 program with the objective to at
least be at par with world standards.

The intent of this House Bill is to digitize all educational materials, among
others, and afford the needed computer equipment such as laptops to teachers,
tablets to students, television sets in classrooms, sim cards and necessary internet
connections. This system may be used during face to face classes, and likewise,
through online classes if the situation calls for it, therefore ready for any eventuality.
Such interruptions then, if not totally prevented, may at least be minimized.

The Constitution provides that education should have the biggest budgetary
allocation, hence the cost of instituting digitized educational system is justified.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this Bill is earnestly sought

REP. ALYSSA MICHAELA “MICA” M. GONZALES
3" District, Pampanga


TWENTIETH CONGRESS:

CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 295

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE ALYSSA MICHAELA “MICA” M. GONZALES

AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING A DIGITIZED EDUCATION SYSTEM IN PUBLIC
SCHOOLS FROM GRADES K TO 12 TO BE IMPLEMENTED BY THE
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREOF

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

SECTION 1. Short Title — This Act shall be known as “The Digitization of K to 12
Education in Public Schools Act’.

SECTION 2. Statement of Policy - The State shall protect and promote the right of al!
citizens to quality education at all levels and shall take appropriate steps to make such
education accessible to all with assigning the highest budgetary priority to education.

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms

a. Digitization - The conversion of text, pictures, or sound into a digital form that
can be processed by a computer.

b. Laptop Computer (laptop) — A computer that is portable and suitable for use
while travelling.

¢. Tablet Computer (tablet) — A computer that is intermediate in size between a
laptop computer and a smartphone typically with a mobile operating system and
touchscreen display processing.

d. Broadband Internet Connection — Refers to various high-capacity transmission
technologies that are used in data, voice, and video across long distances and
at high speeds.

e. Mobile Internet — Internet Access through an internet-enabled mobile gadget.
f. Smart Television Set (Smart TV) - A traditional Television Set with integrated

internet and interactive web features which allows users to stream music and
videos, browse the intemet, and view photos.


g. Sim Card — A smart card inside a mobile phone carrying an identification
number unique to the owner, storing personal data, and preventing operation if
removed.

SECTION 4. The Department of Education shall institute a Digitized Education system
by the digitization of all learning materials not limited to textbooks, modules, lectures,
or other instructions and extra-curricular activities to be installed in computers, laptops,
and tablets or its equivalent to be digitized accordingly. Such digitization shall be
updated periodically as needed.

SECTION 5. The laptop computers with internet access, both through Broadband and
Mobile, shall be issued by the Department of Education to the Public School Teachers
in charge of the subjects with the appropriate digitized learning materials and laptop
applications.

SECTION 6. The computer tablets with internet access, both through Broadband and
Mobile, shall be issued by the Department of Education to all students Grades K to 12
in Public Schools with the appropriate digitized learning materials and computer tablet
applications.

SECTION 7. The issued laptop and tablet computers shall remain to be properties of
the government thru the Department of Education and shall be returned after its use.

SECTION 8. Face-to-face classes — The Department of Education shall provide for
the following:

a. An efficient Broadband Internet Connection System in every Public Schoo! to
be used simultaneously by the entire school.

b. Asmart Television Set (Smart TV) or its equivalent in every classroom of every
Public School.

SECTION 9. Online Classes - The Department of Education shall provide for the
following:

a. Asim card with Mobile Internet Access for every Public School teacher and
Grades K to 12 student.

b. An. allowance per month as determined by the Department of Education
intended for the cost of Mobile Internet to every Public School teacher and
Grades K to 12 student.

SECTION 10. The Department of Education shall take measures to ensure the proper
use of the issued laptops, Smart TVs and Tablets.

SECTION 11. In the initia! implementation of this Act, the Department of Education
shall determine the number of Grades K to 12 students to be enrolled or enrolled in
public schools and the total number of public schoo! teachers as bases for the
issuance of said laptops, tablets, sim cards, and payment of monthly internet
allowances and continue to do so every school year thereafter.


SECTION 12. Rules and Regulations - The Department of Education, within sixty (60)
days, shall promulgate the Implementing Rules and Regulations of this Act.

SECTION 13. Appropriation - The amount of Two Hundred Billion Pesos (Php
200,000,000,000.00) needed to fund this Act shall be taken from the yearly General
Appropriations Act.

SECTION 14. Separability Clause — If any part of this Act is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the other parts or provisions thereof shall remain valid and effective.

SECTION 15. Repealing Clause — All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and
regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
repealed.

SECTION 16. Effectivity — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved.