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Republic of the Philippines . DEI \
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DATE: °C 04 2h ji
Quezon City 3 y
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EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No, 8142

Introduced by HON. JOY MYRA S. TAMBUNTING

EXPLANATORY NOTE

We currently live in a digital era wherein almost everyone can access internet through handheld
devices. With the technological advancements in the recent years, there has been an increased
sale and distribution of media entertainment such as games, blogs, video blogs, online news and
magazines, instructional videos, movies, documentaries, and the like. These advancements have
also allowed people to @ vast pool of information within a few clicks. Consequently, the
concern of ensuring the safety of children and minors arises. While we recognize that intemet
aids people in their daily lives, we could not discount the fact that it could also be used for illicit
activities and children can easily become targets without appropriate supervision from parents
and guardians.

In this regard, this measure provides for the establishment of an internet safety education
program, developed by the Department of Education which shall be introduced in the curriculum
of elementary and secondary schools, to encourage safe internet use, and inform communities,
children and parents on the uses of internet and risks of the internet. This measure is proposed
to increase the literacy of people on new media available through internet. The said program shall
educate children, parents and communities about how to prevent or respond to problems or
dangers related internet use.

On behalf of the people of Parafiaque City’s Second District, and for the common good of the
Filipino people, the approval of the said measure is earnestly sought.

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strict, Parafiaque City


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 8142

—_.

Introduced by HON. JOY MYRA S. TAMBUNTING

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING AN INTERNET SAFETY EDUCATION PROGRAM IN THE CURRICULUM
OF ALL ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS

&e 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 "Internet Safety Education Act".
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - For the purposes of this Act, the terms:
(A) "DepEd" means Department of Education
(B) “Internet Safety Education Program" means an age appropriate, research-based program
that encourages safe, ethical, and responsible use of the internet, promotes an informed,

critical understanding of the internet, and educates children and communities about how
to prevent or respond to problems or dangers related to the internet or new media;

(C) "New Media"

(1) means emerging digital, computerized, or network informed and communication
technologies that often have interactive capacities; and

(2) includes e-mail, instant messaging, text messaging web sites, blogs, interactive
(D) "Secretary" means the Secretary of the Department of Education.
Sec. 3. Implementing Agency and its duties. -
(A) The DepEd shall:
(1) Identify, develop, and implement Internet Safety education programs, including

educational technology, multimedia and interactive applications, online resources, and
lesson plans;


(2) Provide professional training to elementary and secondary teachers, administrators,
and other staff on internet safety and new media literacy;

(3) Develop online risk prevention programs for children;
(4) Train and support peer-driven Internet Safety education initiatives;

(5) Coordinate and fund research initiatives that investigate online risks to children and
internet safety education;

(6) Develop and implement public education campaigns to promote awareness of online
risks to children and Internet safety education;

(7) Educate parents about teaching their children how to use the Internet and new media
safely, responsibly, and ethically and help parents identify and protect their children
from risks relating to use of the Internet and new media; or

(8) The DepEd Secretary shall, within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act,
promulgate rules and regulations, including those of disciplinary nature, to carry out
and enforce provisions of this Act. Further, the DepEd shall be the lead agency in the
carrying out the following: The Secretary is hereby authorized and directed to adopt
a system to implement and carry out the provisions of this Act.

Sec. 4. Appropriations. ~ To carry out the provisions of this Act, such amount as may be
Necessary is hereby authorized to be appropriated from the National Treasury. Thereafter, the
amount necessary for the continuous operation of this program shall be included in the annual
appropriation of the DepEd.

Sec. 5. Separability Clause. - If any provision or section of this Act is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the other provisions and sections not affected thereby shall remain in full force
and effect.

Sec. 6. Repealing Clause. — All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, or issuances, or
any part thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed,
amended, or modified accordingly.

Sec. 7. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official
Gazette or two (2) newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,