Page | 1 
Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
Nineteenth Congress 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. __________ 
__________________________________________________________________________ 
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 their 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 
July 1, 2022 
8:00 am
662


Page | 2 
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 sought. 
JOEY SARTE SALCEDA 


Page | 1 
Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
Nineteenth Congress 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. __________ 
__________________________________________________________________________ 
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. Short 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. Prohibition 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, during classes, cellular 
phones, smart phones and any similar digital devices within the classroom or any area, whether 
or not within the school premises, where teaching lessons or activities are performed. 
662


Page | 2  
 
All covered educational institutions shall implement policies to ensure that students 
comply with the above-stated provision. 
 
SEC. 5. Device Depository. – Every school is mandated to establish a device depository 
office where students can deposit their phones and gadgets upon entering the school premises.  
 
SEC. 6. Regulatory and Punitive Measure. – Every school is mandated to establish its 
regulatory and punitive measures on the violation of the provisions of this Act. 
 
SEC. 7. 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. 8. 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. 9. Repealing Clause. – All laws, executive orders, rules and regulations, or parts 
thereof inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
 
SEC. 10. 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,