Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

‘House BNO. 7223

Introduced by Representative Gabriel H. Bordado, Jr.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Numerous international assessments in education have found that the
education system in the Philippines is in dire need of improvement. Even before the
COVID-19 pandemic, this crisis in education has been apparent. A 2018 report from
the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) showed that the Philippines
ranked lowest among 79 countries in math, reading, and science. PISA further stated
that over 80% of Filipino students did not reach a minimum level of proficiency in
reading. Data and reports from other bodies also showed similar results. A World Bank
report released in 2022 said that the learning poverty, which is defined as the ability
to read and understand simple text by the age of 10, is at 90.9% while learning
deprivation in the country is at 90.4% as of 2019.

Both the availability of technology and the knowledge and expertise to use it as
a means of learning play an important role in improving the quality of education our
students receive. Unfortunately, both teachers and students alike lack the know-how
and updated facilities to fully utilize these digital and technological advantages. This
shortcoming is further felt as the COVID-19 pandemic forced the closure of schools
and heightened the dependence on alternative and online modes of education.

Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop the utilization of cyber education
and of various information and communications technology (ICT) as a tool for learning
and teaching in the country. The benefits of incorporating and strengthening cyber
education in the primary, secondary, and tertiary level does not end in our academic
institutions. It would also be a great advantage in developing globally competitive
professionals in various fields, which would definitely aid in creating a successful
nation.

This bill seeks to institutionalize the implementation of a cyber education
program for primary, secondary, and tertiary education in the Philippines. The passage
of this measure is earnestly sought.

}
]ORDADO, JR.
3° District AAMARINES SUR


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

Jomchano, 1223

4
” House Bill No.

Introduced by Representative Gabriel H. Bordado, Jr.

AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CYBER EDUCATION
PROGRAM, CREATING THE CYBER EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT
MANAGEMENT CORPORATION AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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 "Cyber Education Act."

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
work towards the advancement of the quality of education in the country through the
adoption of information and communications technology (ICT) as a tool in the teaching
and learning process to enable students to achieve higher standards of learning.
Likewise, the State shall also utilize ICT education in the development of its human
resources.

SECTION 3. Objectives. - This Act shall have the following objectives:

(a) Achieve higher standards of education and bring about significant improvements
in the performance of students through the utilization of ICT;

(b) Improve the quality of classroom lessons and the fundamental improvement of
public education through the use of ICT;

(c) Address the inequality in education by bringing the educational system even to the
remotest barangay and to many underserved children, especially those who come
from lower income families;

(d) Improve the delivery of basic, secondary and tertiary education by enhancing the
capabilities of teachers, school heads and other stakeholders in the public education
system;

(e) Improve the quality and efficiency of school administration through the effective
management of information systems; and

(f) Prepare Filipino students to become ICT literate and provide them unlimited
opportunities for learning,

SECTION 4. Cyber Education Development and Management Corporation. -
There is hereby created a Cyber Education Development and Management
Corporation, hereinafter referred to as the "CyberEd Corp.", under the Department of
Education.


The CyberEd Corp. shall be the primary policy-making, planning, and coordinating
entity of the government that will be tasked to develop, coordinate and ensure the
implementation of government programs and action plans relating to the cyber
education program.

The Secretary of Education shall organize the CyberEd Corp. within sixty (60) days
from the effectivity of this Act.

SECTION 5. Powers and Functions. The CyberEd Corp. shall have the following
powers and functions:

(a) Formulate and coordinate the development of national plans, policies and
guidelines that will promote the utilization of various ICT and to advance an ICT-
enabled learning environment towards the improvement of the quality of education in
the country;

(b) Formulate a road map on cyber education to serve as the basis for cyber education
planning, research and development, and monitoring of programs and activities;

(c) Review the existing programs of various government agencies on cyber education;

(d) Coordinate the implementation of the cyber education program to ensure the
attainment of goals set in the road map on cyber education;

(e) Foster the widespread use and application of emerging ICT in the public education
system including the curriculum, pedagogy, and student-centered learning and
assessment;

(f) To have continuous succession under its corporate name until otherwise provided
by the law;

(g) To adopt and use a corporate seasl and to change, alter or modify the same, if
necessary;

(h) To sue and be sued;

(i) To enter into contract and execute any instrument necessary or convenient for the
purpose for which it was created;

() To borrow funds from any source, whether public or private, foreign or domestic,
and issue bonds and other evidence of indebtedness; Provide that in case of bond
issues, it shall be subject to the approval of President of the Philippines upon the
recommendation of the Secretary of Finance; Provided further, that foreign loans shall
be obtained, for and behalf of CyberEd Corp., in accordance with law and the rules
and regulations of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas;

(k) To maintain a provident fund which consists of contributions made by both the
CyberEd Corp. and its officials and employees and their earnings for the payment of
benefits to such officials and employees or their heirs under such terms and conditions
as its Board may prescribe;


(I) To do any act necessary or proper to carry out the purpose for which it is created,
or which, from time to time, may be declared by the CyberEd Corp Board as
necessary, useful, incidental or auxiliary to accomplish its purpose and objectives; and

(m) Generally, to exercise the powers of a corporation under the corporation law in so
far as they are not inconsistent with this Act.

SECTION 6. Board of Trustees. - All the powers of the CyberEd Corp. shall be vested
in and exercised by a Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees shall be composed of
a Chairman and seven (7) members. The Secretary of the Department of Education
shall be the ex-officio Chairman of the Board. The other members of the Board of
Trustees of the CyberEd Corp. shall include the Chairman of the Commission on
Higher Education (CHED), the Secretary of the Department of Science and technology
(00ST), the Secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG),
the Executive Director of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority
(TESDA), and the President of the CyberEd Corp as ex-officio members; and two (2)
representatives from the private sector. The President of the CyberEd Corp. and the
two (2) representatives from the private sector shall be appointed by the President of
the Philippines and shall serve for a term of one (1) year, as provided for by Republic
Act No. 10149 (GOCC Governance Act of 2011) provided that any person appointed
to fill-in a vacancy shall serve only the unexpired term of his/her predecessor in office.
Board:

SECTION 7. Powers and Duties of the Board. - The following are the powers of the
(a) To provide strategic direction for CyberEd Corp., and formulate medium and long-
term strategies pursuant to the vision, mission and objectives of CyberEd Corp;

(b) To develop and adopt policies and measures for the efficient and effective
management and operation of CyberEd Corp;

(c) To organize, re-organize and determine the organizational structure and staffing
pattern of CyberEd Corp.; abolish and create offices and positions; fix the number of
its officers and employees; transfer and re-align such officers and personnel; fix their
compensation, allowance and benefits, provided that such compensation and position
classification shall be in pursuant to the provisions of Sec. 8, Sec. 9, and Sec. 10 of
Republic Act Nop. 10149; and: (d) To fix the compensation of the President of the
CyberEd Corp. and to appoint and fix the compensation of other corporate officers;
(e) For cause, to suspend or remove any corporate officer appointed by the Board;
pursuant to Sec. 22 of Republic Act No. 10149; and

(f) To adopt and set guidelines for the employment of personnel on the basis of merit,
technical competence and moral character.

SECTION 8. Board Meetings. - The Board shall meet as often as maybe necessary
upon the call of the Chairman of the Board or by majority of the Board members.

SECTION 9. Board Per Diems and Allowances. - The members of the Board shall
receive per diem for each regular or special meeting of the Board actually attended by
them, and pursuant to existing accounting and auditing rules and pertinent provisions
under Sec. 23 of Republic Act No. 10149.

SECTION 10. Quorum - The presence of at least four (4) members of the Board shall
constitute a quorum, which shall be necessary for the transaction of any business. The


affirmative vote of a majority of the members present in a quorum shall be adequate
for the approval of any resolution, decision or order except when the Board shall agree
that a greater vote is required.

SECTION 11. Powers of the President of CyberEd Corp - The President of the
CyberEd Corp shall be the Chief Executive Officer of CyberEd Corp. In the absence
of the Chairman, the President of the CyberEd Corp shall preside over all Board
meetings.

The President of CyberEd Corp shail have the following powers and duties:

(a) To execute
take responsi

nd administer the policies and measures approved by the Baord, and
y for the efficient and effective discharge of management functions;

(b) To oversee the preparation of the budget of CyberEd Corp;

(c) To direct and supervise the operation and internal administration of CyberEd Corp
and, for this purpose, may delegate some or any of his administrative responsibilities
and duties to other officers of CyberEd Corp:

(d) Subject to the guidelines and policies set up by the Board, to appoint and fix the
number and compensation of subordinate officials and employees of CyberEd Corp;
and for cause, to remove, suspend or otherwise discipline any subordinate employee
of CyberEd Corp;

(e) To submit an annual report to the Board on the activities and achievement of
CyberEd Corp at the close of each fiscal year and upon approval thereof, submit a
copy to the President of the Philippines and to such other agencies as maybe required
by law as provided for in Sec. 16 of this Act;

(f) To represent CyberEd Corp in all dealings and transactions with other offices,
agencies, and instrumentalities of the Government and with all persons and other
entities, private or public, domestic or foreign; and

(g) To exercise such other powers and duties as maybe vested in him by the Board
from time to time.

SECTION 12. Fiduciary Duties of the Board and Officers - The members of the
Board of Trustees and Officers of the CyberEd Corp have the fiduciary functions to
always act in the best interest of the CyberEd Corp. pursuant to the provisions of Sec.
19, Sec. 20 and Sec. 21 of R.A 10149.

SECTION 13. Road Map on Cyber Education. The CyberEd Corp. shall, in
consultation with the advisory body and in coordination with the ICTO, DOST, CHED,
and TESDA, formulate the road map on cyber education within six (6) months from
the effectivity of this Act. The road map on cyber education shall serve as basis for
cyber education planning, research and development, and monitoring of activities.

It shall be formulated based on the existing strategic plan on ICT, current and future
capacities and the potentials for adopting the emerging technologies, in accordance
with the national development goals.


The formulation of the Road Map on Cyber Education shall be guided by the following
principles:

a) Responsive policies for the effective implementation of the cyber education
program;

b) Coordination and mainstreaming of the cyber education program;
©) Efficient resource mobilization and funding generation;

4) Provision of technical and infrastructure requirements including reliable, accessible
and affordable hardware and high-speed connectivity to all public schools and State
Universities and Colleges (SUCS) nationwide;

e) Establishment and management of user-centered knowledge and information
resources for teachers and the students and the development of user- centered digital
leaming materials for use in classrooms;

f) Continuous advancement of teachers and school administrators' knowledge and
skills on ICT through professional trainings and development and assessment of their
competency, among others;

g) Active role of the private sector in ICT research and development;

h) Development and management of knowledge and information resources for
teachers and the students as well as ICT integration in public schools and SUCS
nationwide;

i) Technical and financial support and capacity building for local planning,
implementation and monitoring of cyber education programs in the respective LGUs;
and

j) Efficient program monitoring and evaluation of the cyber education program.
The road map on cyber education shall be reviewed every five (5) years, or as may be
deemed necessary.

SECTION 8. Components of the Road Map on Cyber Education. The road map on
cyber education shall not be limited to the following program components:

a) National Education and Research Internet Network. - The program aims to establish
a nation-wide education and research network infrastructure to support education and
research in all public elementary, secondary schools and SUCs using up- to-date ICT.
A nationwide internet network shall be established which will connect seventeen (17)
regional network nodes. It is aimed at providing 100% internet and intra-net
connectivity to all public elementary, secondary schools and all SUCs nationwide.

b) Online Regional Teaching and Learning Center. There shall be established in each
region a Regional Teaching and Leaming Center equipped with up- to-date ICT
equipment and will serve as an in-service professional development center for
teachers. It will promote excellent teaching and facilitate student learning and growth.


It will provide an opportunity for teachers, faculty, school administrators, and teaching
assistants to improve their teaching skills, acquire ICT skills, and update their
knowledge and skills as the school curriculum changes and as technologies advance.
Access to professional development materials and in-school “virtual” training from
certified experts shall be made available to all public school teachers. The teaching
and learning center shall apply blended leaming which will also promote collaborative
learning.

The teaching and learning center is aimed at promoting excellence in teaching at all
levels and ensuring that utilization of various ICT shall be accepted and practiced as.
a pedagogical tool inside and outside the classroom. The teaching methods to be
employed are research-based and courses shall be taught by experts from the national
and regional centers.

c) Digital School. - A Digital School Project aimed at providing alll public elementary,
secondary schools and SUCS nationwide with the necessary physical and ICT
infrastructure for ICT-based teaching and learning will also be established.

The program will advance the current computerization and internet connectivity
program of the DepEd. It shall involve the progressive upgrading of physical and
technology infrastructure in all public elementary and secondary schools which shall
be implemented in phases. The infrastructure upgrading shall be consistent with the
road map on cyber education.

) Teachers’ Education in ICT. This program will promote the integration of ICT in
teacher education and pre-service training. This will enable teachers, especially those
who are just starting their teaching profession, to be familiar with ICT and be more
‘open in learning how to infuse technology into instruction.

All SUCS shall include in the Bachelor of Education curriculum the integration of ICT
in developing their pedagogigal, language, and technology skills. A scholarship
program shall be launched to be offered to public school teachers who will pursue
Master's Degree on ICT in Education. These teachers will be the future leaders on
integrating ICT in education.

e) Laptop for Public School Teachers and School Administrators. - In partnership with
the private sector, a mechanism will be established where all qualified public school
heads, administrators, and teachers shall have access to quality and affordable
laptops. This is in support of the current Laptop for Teachers (LT4T) program of the
Department of Education.

f) Digital Education and Research Information Service (DERIS) Website. - A dedicated
website shall be created and managed which will serve as an academic information
sharing service among SUCs, private educational institutions, and libraries. It will
provide access to source information and full texts of published journal articles and
dissertations in the country and abroad. It will also provide online educational
resources and services for teachers, students, and the general public.

It aims to promote sharing and distribution of research information to advance our
country in the field of academic research.

g) Cyber Education Classrooms. -There shall be at least one (1) Cyber Education
classroom in every school. The DepEd ICT Department will be in charge of ensuring


that the Cyber Education classrooms are provided with adequate facilities and that
those are maintained. Funding for the Cyber classrooms shall be sourced from the
Philippine Games and Amusements Corporation (PAGCOR).

h) Digital Education Administration Information System (DEAIS) Website. - A
dedicated website shall be created and managed which will serve as an integrated
administration system designed to provide access to school administrative information
all over the country.

It aims to enhance the efficiency of public school administration through the provision
of education administration information systems and resources. It will also provide a
cost-effective monitoring system for the public education sector.

i) Digital Library Support Center. - All public schools and SUCs nationwide shall have
a digital leaming center equipped with necessary infrastructure to fully integrate ICT
in public schools and libraries of SUCs nationwide. It aims to encourage the active use
of the libraries among the students and promote interdisciplinary and cross campus
research, teaching, and services among public schools and SUCS.

j) Blended and Collaborative Leaming. The cyber education program will apply a
blended type of learning where students will lear through a combination of different
delivery methods of teaching that includes the traditional classroom learning and
technology-enhanced learning such as learning online. The use of various ICT such
as, but not limited, to the computer and the internet will be utilized for optimum teaching
and learning from among the students and the teachers.

k) Development of Digital Materials. - Digital teaching materials for use in the
classrooms shall be developed and made available to all public elementary, secondary
schools and SUCs nationwide.

1) Certification Exams and Accreditation of ICT Schools. - TESDA shall, in coordination
with the private sector, develop a standards-based training and certification program
for basic computing and internet knowledge and skills.

m) Cyber Education Research and Technology Development. The CyberEd Corp.
shall undertake to promote education research and technological development
including policy research, technology assessment, feasibility and technical studies
related to ICT in education among SUCS and the private education institutions.

n) Curriculum Development. DepEd and CHED shall undertake to implement the
digitization of curriculum content and the creation of ready-to-use and customizable
ICT-based resources.

0) ICT in Education Excellence Award. - The government shall launch the ICT in
Education Excellence Award to give recognition to individuals and educational
institutions for exemplary performance and innovation in the utilization of ICT in
teaching and learning.

This program, which will be held annually, will encourage individuals and educational
institutions to advance the utilization of ICT in education.


p) ICT Officers. Trained ICT officers who will be charged with the maintenance and
basic repair of the ICT equipment shall be assigned in every elementary and
secondary school.

SECTION 14. Local Cyber Education Plan. -The local government units (LGUs)
shall, in partnership with the CyberEd Corp., DOST, CHED and TESDA, formulate
plans and implement local cyber education programs in their respective LGUs,
consistent with the provisions of the Local Government Code and the road map on
cyber education.

LGUS shall update their respective action plans annually. The LGUS shall fumish the
CyberEd Corp. with copies of their action plans and all subsequent amendments,
modifications and revisions thereof, within one (1) month from their adoption. The
LGUS shall mobilize and allocate necessary personnel, resources and logistics to
effectively implement their respective action plans.

The local chief executive shall appoint a local cyber education program officer who will
be responsible for the formulation and implementation of the local cyber education
program and shall be authorized to provide additional staff as may be deemed
necessary.

SECTION 15. Role of Government Agencies. To ensure the effective
implementation of the cyber education program, concerned agencies shall perform the
following functions:

a) The DOST shalll have the following functions:
i. Undertake education research and technological development including
policy research, technology assessment, feasibility and technical studies
related to ICT in education;

ii, Provide technical services needed in integrating ICT in education such as but
not limited to the provision of as high-speed connectivity; and

Assist the DepEd and CHED in the digitization of curriculum content and
creation of ready-to-use and customizable ICT-based resources.

b) The CHED shalll have the following functions:
i, Formulate, recommend, and implement plans, policies, programs and
projects on integrating ICT in higher education including administration and
management of SUCS;
i, Ensure the integration of ICT in teachers' academic programs;

. Promote education research among SUCS and the private education

institutions;

iv. Ensure the integration of ICT in libraries of SUCS nationwide;

v. Monitor and evaluate the program and its implementation; and

vi. Accredit ICT schools and set standards on certification exams.

c) The DILG shall have the following functions:

i, Formulate and implement local action plans;
ii, Mainstream promotion and implementation of the program; and


ili. Monitor and evaluate the program in their area of jurisdiction.

SECTION 16. Annual Report on the Cyber Education Program. - The CyberEd
Corp. shall, through the Secretary of Education, submit to both Houses of Congress,
or upon the request of the Congressional Oversight Committee, a report giving a
detailed account of the status of the implementation of this Act. All LGUS shall submit
annual progress reports on the implementation of their respective local action plans to
the CyberEd Corp. within the first quarter of the following year.

SECTION 17. Authority to Receive Donations or Grants. The CyberEd Corp. is
authorized to accept grants, contributions, donations, endowments, bequests, or gifts
in cash, or in kind from local and foreign sources in support of the development and
implementation of the cyber education program: Provided, That such donations shall
not be used to fund personal services expenditures and other operating expenses of
the CyberEd Corp. or of DepEd.

The proceeds of such grants, contributions, donations, endowments, bequests, or gifts
in cash, or in kind shall be used to finance the following:

(a) Research, development and utilization of emerging technologies;
(b) Improvement of ICT infrastructure including hardware and internet connectivity;
(c) Training and capacity building;

(d) Conduct of such other activities reasonably necessary to carry out the objectives
of this Act, as may be defined by the CyberEd Corp.

SECTION 18. Funding Allocation for Cyber Education Program. - The DepEd,
CHED, DOST, TESDA and LGUS shall allocate from their annual appropriations
adequate funds for the formulation, development and implementation, including the
purchase of ICT hardware, of the cyber education program and capacity building. In
subsequent budget proposals, the DepEd, CHED, DOST, TESDA and LGUS shall
appropriate funds for program implementation including continuing training and
education on emerging technologies, as well as project monitoring and evaluation.
PAGCOR will also allocate funds for the establishment of the cyber education
classrooms and maintenance of its facilities.

SECTION 19. Appropriations. The amount of Five Hundred Million Pesos
(P500,000,000.00) is hereby appropriated as initial operating fund of the CyberEd
Corp.. Thereafter, such amount necessary to effectively carry out the provisions of this
Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SECTION 20. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days from
the effectivity of this Act, the CyberEd Corp. shall, in coordination with the DepEd,
DOST, CHED, TESDA and ICTO, prepare and promulgate the rules and regulations
necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.


SECTION 21. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders,
proclamations, and administrative regulations or parts thereof inconsistent herewith
are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 22. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
Publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,