sGUSL W REPRESENTATIVES

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS RECEIVED
OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES DATE_17 AUG 2016
First Regular Section we
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ©!
No. 3055 PESISTRATION UNIT
Howse BN. 3059) gO aND DEX SERVICE

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Introduced by Representative Vietor A. Yap

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The invention and development of the Internet is the greatest technological advance of
the 20% century. Today, the Internet is used by more than 50% of the world population. Its
applications are found in every field, be it communication, knowledge, news, shopping,
marketing, entertainment, education, etc. There are numerous advantages of the Internet in
the field of education, like gaining information, news, historical data, communication, etc.

To uphold the constitutional right of all citizens to a quality education, it is necessary
to provide for the Wireless Internet Access Program (the “program”), The program will
benefit all public schools, including State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), by providing
students and teachers alike with wireless internet services.

Using multimedia and Internet provides an opportunity for students to gain
knowledge about a particular subject in depth. Students can now see actual photographs of
rare bird species, or see animated graphics of a volcanic eruption to understand the concept in
detail. Another benefit of online learning is that students even in far flung areas can gain
knowledge on different subjects, complete courses, etc. Moreover, students can contact fellow
students or their teachers via the e-mail if they have queries. Sharing of information,
discussions on a particular subject, etc., can be easily carried out using the Internet. At the
same time, teachers can also contact parents and guardians easily.

Ultimately, the program is seen to have a significant and positive impact on the
performance of students at every level, particularly in SUCs, hence the immediate passage of
this bill is earnestly sought.

VICTOR A. YAP
Representative. 2nd District of Tarlac


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SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS )
OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Section )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

3055

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representative Vietor A. Yap

AN ACT.
ESTABLISHING THE WIRELESS INTERNET ACCESS PROGRAM IN ALL STATE
UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES IN THE COUNTRY AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Wireless Internet (WI,
Access Act.”
SEC, 2. Declaration of Polic)

right of all citizens to quality education at all levels and to take appropriate steps to make such

It is the policy of the State to protect and promote the

education accessible to all. Towards this end, the State shall establish the Wireless Internet

Access Program in all state universities and colleges throughout the country by providing

wireless internet connection facilities, training personnel about applications and developing a
system for its effective implementation.

SEC. 3. Wireless Internet Access Program, — There shall be established the Wireless
Internet Access Program, hereinafter referred to as the Program, in all state universities and

colleges (SUCs) throughout the country. The Department of Information and Communications

Technology (DICT) shall formulate, establish and maintain the Program to provide wireless
internet access to students, faculty members and other non-teaching personnel in the SUCs and
to ensure that the connectivity requirements of the SUCs and to ensure that the connectivity
requirements of the SUCs are met in an efficient and effective manner.

SEC. 4, Objectives. ~ The Program shall have the following objectives:

a) Provide a network for a reliable wireless internet connection and access to students,
faculty members and non-teaching personnel in all SUCs which shall promote easy access to
information and services relevant to education;

b) Improve leaming techniques through cost-efficient and productivity-enhancing
methods with the use of the wireless internet:

©) Modernize the delivery of information to the students through the use and application

of information and communications technology:


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) Upgrade the capabilities of SUCs relevant to valuable educational materials; and

e) Make the SUCs technologically competitive and at par with other educational
institutions around the world.

SEC. 5. Program Director. - Prior to the implementation of this Act on the academic
year immediately after its approval, all SUCs shall each appoint a Program Director who shall

be the lead person in charge of all activities necessary for the determination, implementation

and management of the Program in their respective campuses, The Program Director shall be

an expert in the field of information and communications technology, particularly, on wireles
internet access administration.

SEC. 6. Duties and Functions. ~ The Program Director shall exercise the following
duties and functions:

a) Execute and administer the plans and projects for the realization of the objectives set
forth in this Act;

b) Direct and supervise the operation and internal administration of the program and,
for this purpose, delegate some of the powers and duties to appropriate subordinate personnel;

¢) Select and, in coordination with their respective SUCs and the Department of Budget
and Management, fix the number and compensation of personnel necessary to implement the
provisions of this Act, subject to civil service laws, rules and regulations;

d) Receive donations, grants or any form of aid from local or foreign donors relative to
the program, ensure that said donations, grants or aids are used for their intended purpose, make
a report and submit the same to the proper SUC authorities;

e) Coordinate closely with the DICT regarding the training of necessary personnel,
improvement of the program design and other related matters that require the expertise of the
DICT; and

£) Perform such other duties and functions that are proper or necessary to carry out the

purposes of this Act.

SEC. 7. Access. ~ All students, faculty members and non-teaching personnel of all
SUCS in the country shall be allowed access to a wireless internet connection within the
premises of their respective universities or colleges. For purposes of securing and unauthorized
use of the free wireless internet connection, restrictions with regard to its use shall be imposed
in the form of passwords and other similar mechanisms, which shall be readily provided to the

student, faculty member or non-teaching personnel upon request.

SEC. 8. Places of Access. — All SUCs shall ensure that access to the wireless internet
connection is available at common areas such as, but not limited to, classrooms, libraries,

auditoriums, main lobbies, student lounges, and faculty and administrative offices of each


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district and separate publicly accessible building within the premises of the university or
college.

SEC. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations ~ Within ninety (90) days from the
approval of this Act, the Secretary of DICT shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations
for the effective implementation of this Act.

SEC. 10. Appropriations ~ The amount necessary for the effective implementation of

this Act is hereby charged from the current appropriations for the DICT. Thereafter, such

amount as may be necessary for the continued implementation of this Act shall be included in
the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 11. Repealing Clause — All laws, decrees, executive orders, ordinances, rules and
regulations and other issuances inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified
accordingly.

SEC. 12. Effectivity — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in.
the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation,

Approved,