REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

7222

House Bill No.

Introduced by HON. KRISTINE ALEXIE B. TUTOR
Third District, Bohol

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The sudden and overwhelming effect of the COVID-19 pandemic has presented a
huge challenge to our education system. The government has all of a sudden ceased
face-to-face instruction for students in order to prevent the further spread of the virus.
This sudden switch in the mode of teaching presented our education system very little
time to prepare for online teaching and virtual education.

This proposed measure mandates the Department of Education (DepEd) to
establish and implement a viable, comprehensive and sustainable long-term
modernization plan for public elementary, junior high and senior high schools. It shall
likewise include steps through which all schools provide gadgets such as smartphones,
tablet, or laptops, as well as mobile internet hotspots, to teachers and students without
access to such equipment whenever face-to-face instruction is prohibited and blending
learning modalities are being implemented.

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

REP. KRISTINE ALEXIE B. TUTOR


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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House Bill No: _ “222

Introduced by HON. KRISTINE ALEXIE B. TUTOR
Third District, Bohol

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR A COMPREHENSIVE AND SUSTAINABLE MODERNIZATION,
CONNECTIVITY AND INNOVATION PROGRAM FOR PUBLIC ELEMENTARY AND
SECONDARY SCHOOLS PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

Section 1, Title. - This Act shall be known as the “School Modernization,

Connectivity and Innovation Act of 2020.”

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
promote a comprehensive and sustainable modernization program for all public
elementary, junior high, and senior high schools aimed at improving the effectiveness,
efficiency, and resilience of the delivery of basic education, especially during disruptions
such as pandemics and other health emergencies. The State shall likewise take into
account the regional and sectoral needs and conditions in developing a viable long-term
school modernization, connectivity, and innovation plan. The State shall also encourage
the participation of the private sector and local government units in strengthening
programs which provide relevant and adequate skills training and equipment for public

school children necessary for them to be globally competitive.

Sec. 3. Statement of Purpose. - This Act seeks to attain the following objectives:
a) To provide a broad framework for the institutionalization of a comprehensive,
and sustainable modernization, connectivity and innovation program for public

elementary and secondary schools;


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b)

©)

qd)

e)

To encourage the schools to become more innovative and resourceful in
developing and implementing programs geared towards modernization;

To develop mechanisms which will define the roles and responsibilities of the
officials from the regional, division down to the school levels in the
implementation of the school modernization programs;

To provide mechanisms on how the private sector can participate in the
program; and

To define a regional, division and school modernization, connectivity, and

innovation plan responsive to the needs of the students and teachers in the area.

Sec. 4. Implementing Agency. - The Department of Education, hereinafter

referred to as the "Department', shall be the main implementing agency of the School

Modernization and Innovation Act. The Secretary of Education shall be responsible for

ensuring the smooth implementation of the modernization plan for schools.

Sec. 5. Components. - The School Modernization, Connectivity, and Innovation

Program shall consist of the following:

a)

b)

Computerization of public elementary and high schools, The DepEd, in
coordination with other appropriate government agencies, shall determine the
appropriate number of information technology (IT) equipment to be housed
within school premises depending on the number of student enrollment. The
Science high schools in every region nationwide shall be given priority in the
allocation of funds for the computerization.

Ensuring digital connectivity between students and teachers. All public
elementary, junior high, and senior high schools shall endeavor to provide
gadgets such as smartphones, tablets, or laptops, as well as mobile internet
hotspots and other related apparatuses, to every student and teacher without
access to such equipment, whenever face-to-face instruction is prohibited and
blended learning modalities are being implemented. The schools shall be
responsible for establishing and implementing the system through which
students and teachers may rent, lease, or purchase at subsidized rates the

aforementioned equipment needed for digital connectivity.


c) Upgrading of Libraries in public elementary and secondary schools. A well-
equipped library shall be established in every public elementary and secondary
high school. The library should be provided with at least five (5) computers,
which have Internet access to assist the students in their research work.

d) Promotion of an integrated distance-learning program. The distance learning
program aims to enable the students from local and foreign private schools to
share their knowledge and expertise in the areas of Science and Technology,
Mathematics, English and Communication to students in public schools through
modern system of instructional and communication technology. It may adopt an
interactive system of instruction through television, modern satellite
communication or cable system, or the Internet, whichever is appropriate and
feasible in the area. The students as well as teachers in public schools shall be
provided with opportunities to avail of the latest trends and developments in the
field of educational, science, technology and communication even from abroad
through distance learning programs.

e) Upgrading of Science Laboratories. Each public elementary and high school will
be provided with well-equipped science laboratories with modern science
equipment, which is essential in improving the competencies of the students in

the area of science and technology.

Sec. 6. Phased Implementation of the Program. - The Department shall
implement the program in phases to ensure continuity and sustainability of the projects.
The phases of implementation will be determined according to the priorities set by the

Department as well as the absorptive capacity of the schools.

Sec. 7. Financing of the Program. - The Department of Budget and Management
shall allocate at least ten percent (10%) of the total appropriations of the annual budget
of the Department for the financing of the School Modernization and Innovation

Program.


Sec. 8. Formulation of School Modernization and Innovation Plan at School

and Regional Level. -

a)

°)

National Modernization and Innovation Plan. The Secretary of Education, in
consultation with Regional Directors and Schools Division Superintendents, shall
develop a comprehensive and sustainable modernization and innovation plan for
public elementary and secondary schools nationwide which will be implemented
within a period of five (5) years. It shall take into account the rapid changes in
the field of information technology, communication and instructional delivery in
various part of the world. It shall also identify sources of funding both from local
and international financial institutions as well as the role of private sector, local
government units and other members of the civil society. It shall likewise define
the national standards and framework, which will be adopted in developing the
individual plans.

Regional Modernization and Innovation Plan. The Regional Director, in
coordination with the Schools Division Superintendents, shall formulate a
modernization framework consistent with national standards which will serve as
the basis for the plan taking into consideration the specific needs, and
requirements of the region. The regional plan shall highlight the peculiarities and
unique needs of the various schools within its jurisdiction.

School Modernization and Innovation Plan. Each school shall formulate its own
5-year modernization plan which reflects the aspirations and goals of the school
based on the regional plan of action. The plan shall consist of an assessment of
the existing needs of the school as well as an inventory of existing educational
facilities, priority programs for the allocation of funds, strategies to mobilize
financial resources to augment regular budget and strategies to manage the use
of personnel, physical and fiscal resources. The individual plans of the schools

shall be submitted to the regional offices for consolidation.

Sec. 9. School Modernization and Innovation Trust Fund. - A School

Modernization and Innovation Fund, hereinafter referred to as the Fund, is hereby

established, exclusively to augment the regular appropriations provided under Section

7 of this Act to finance the priority programs for school modernization and

improvement of public elementary and secondary schools.

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a) The government's contribution to the Fund shall be the following:

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The amount of Fifteen Billion Pesos (P15,000,000,000.00) as seed capital;
The equivalent of ten percent (10%) of the annual gross earnings of the

Philippine Amusement Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR);

. The equivalent of 10% annual share on the total gross collections of the

travel tax;

. The equivalent of 10 %of any additional increase annually in the fees for

vehicle registration;

. The equivalent of 2% of the additional increase annually in revenue

collections;

. The equivalent of 10% of the sales of the lotto operations of the Philippine

Charity Sweepstakes Offices (PSO).

The fund shall have a private portion to be raised from donations and gifts and

other conveyances including materials, equipment, properties and services by

gratuitous title.

b) The fund shall be distinct and separate from the schools’ regular allotment for

maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE).

©) The Department shall be authorized to use the annual interest income of the

Trust Fund provided that the expenditures will be used directly for the

implementation of the modernization programs and not on the regular programs

of the Department: Provided, that 50% of the entire annual income shall be

retained in the Bureau of the Special Treasury.

Sec. 10. Management and Administration of the Fund. - The Fund shall be

administered by the Department of Education. For sound and judicious management of

the Fund, the Department shall appoint a reputable government financial institution as

portfolio manager of the Fund, subject to the following conditions:

‘As administrator of the Fund, the Department shall prepare the necessary

guidelines for its use, subject to the following conditions:

a) No part of the seed capital of the Fund, including earnings thereof shall be used

to underwrite overhead expenses of the administration;

b) Unless otherwise stipulated by the private donor, only earnings of private

contributions shall be used for administrative expenses;

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°)

The Department shall appoint and organize a separate staff that will be
independent administratively from the Department. It shall also enjoy fiscal

autonomy from the Department.

Sec. 11, Assistance from Local Government Units. - Each local government unit

(LGU) shall allocate at least 5% of their Special Education Fund to augment the

appropriations for the financing of programs in line with the thrusts of the school

modernization and innovation program.

Sec, 12. Uses of the Fund. - The School Modernization and Innovation Fund shall

be used to finance the following:

a)

b)

°c)

d)
e)

Projects, which have been approved and certified as priority by the National
Executive Committee and Regional Modernization Committees created under
Section 13 based on the guidelines and criteria formulated by the Department;
In-service training of the teachers in the areas of computer literacy, instructional
communication technology, and other topics relevant to online, blended, and
multiple platform-based learning;

Procurement of equipment, including the maintenance thereof, for computer
laboratories, audio visual and multimedia facilities;

Procurement of science equipment for science laboratories in schools; and,
Procurement of gadgets for digital connectivity and online learning, which

includes but is not limited to smartphones, tablets, and laptops.

Sec, 13. Order of Priority in the Allocation of Funds. - In order for the school to

be given priority in the allocation of funds from the School Modernization Innovation

Trust Fund, the following criteria should be met:

a)

b)

The programs, which will be funded, should be in line with the formulated
regional and school modernization plans;

The school should have mobilized additional 40% counterpart funding from the
local government unit, private corporations, foundations, business groups or

private individuals for every program which will be implemented.


c) The programs have been approved by either the Regional Modernization
Committee or the National Executive Committee, or both depending on the

funding required.

Sec. 14. Selection Process. - The individual schools nationwide are directed to
develop project proposals in line with the modernization thrusts of their region and
submit to their respective regional offices to determine its feasibility and contribution
to the overall thrusts of school modernization in the country.

A National Executive Modernization Committee shall be established. It shall be
headed by the Secretary of the Department of Education, the Undersecretary for
Programs and Directors of Elementary and Secondary Education and two
representatives from the private sector. It shall be in-charge in evaluating projects with
national application and coverage.

A Regional Modernization Committee headed by the Regional Director and
composed of three Division Superintendents and two Representatives from Parent
Teachers Association in the region shall be established to evaluate all project proposals
at the regional level. The Regional Modernization Committee shall have the authority to
approve and recommend release of funding for projects with a funding requirement of
up to One million pesos (P1,000,000.00).

However, the approved project proposals with a funding requirement of more
than One million pesos (P1,000,000.00) will be forwarded to the National Executive
Modernization Committee chaired by the Secretary of Department of Education or his
duly designated representative for final review and approval.

The Department shall promulgate guidelines for the selection of the project

proposals, which will be funded by the School Modernization and Innovation Fund.

Sec. 15. Private Sector Participation. - The members of the private sector are
hereby encouraged to provide technical and/or financial support to the schools as they
pursue their modernization plans. The private corporations, foundations, business
groups or individuals who shall provide support to modernization programs shall be
allowed to deduct from their gross income 100% of the expenses directly used to

finance the implementation of the program in the schools.


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The schools which would be able to seek at least 40% counterpart funding
support from private corporations, foundations, business groups individuals as well as
local government in their respective local communities shall be given the priority the
provision of direct grants and funding from the School Improvement and Innovation

Fund particularly in programs which are mentioned in Section 9.

Sec. 16. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Secretary of Education
shall promulgate the implementing rules and regulations within (90) ninety days after

the approval of this Act.

Sec. 17. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is
subsequently declared invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions hereof which are

not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

Sec. 18. Repealing Clause. - All other laws, acts, presidential decrees, executive
orders, presidential proclamations, issuances, rules and regulations, or parts thereof
which are contrary to or inconsistent with any of the provisions of this Act are hereby

repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.

Sec. 19. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,