Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
* TIME 5:27pm

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NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 3713

Introduced by HONORABLE REX GATCHALIAN

AN ACT
MANDATING THE FULL DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
OF ALL PUBLIC AND PRIVATE BASIC EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS,
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Most educators and learners have observed and participated in the shift to
digital education in the modern age over the past few decades. The change was
expedited and amplified when the COVID-19 pandemic caused schools and
universities to close and implement distance learning. Digital education persists even
today as the country continues to battle the pandemic. Despite earnest efforts by the
relevant government agencies and local government units, however, there is still a
great deal of educators and learners who are left behind either because of the lack of
digital resources or the skillset to maximize the available resources.

The government, through the Department of Education (DepEd), in
collaboration with the Department of Information and Communications Technology
(DICT) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), should be at the
forefront in ensuring that public and private basic education institutions adopt the
use of digital technology to continuously deliver quality education towards the digital
transformation of the basic education system. This measure seeks to implement the

mandates to achieve this goal:

(1) The abovementioned agencies shall digitally streamline and integrate their
workflows and processes to promote efficiency in delivering basic education

services;

Z_ DATE August 16, 2022 [)


(2) The abovementioned agencies shall craft a multi-year roadmap to ensure the
timely implementation of the proposed law, to be supported by annual work
and financial plans;

(3) DepEd shall develop training programs and conduct workshops or webinar
Sessions to equip teachers with the necessary knowledge and skills and
enhance their virtual teaching capacity and competence;

(4) DICT shall provide and maintain the necessary digital infrastructure to ensure
the availability and accessibility of reliable and secure Internet access, thereby
connecting the schools to the Internet;

(5) DICT shall implement measures to accelerate the installation, deployment,
and activation of the free public wi-fi in all public basic education institutions
and escalate the building of the national infrastructure for information and
communications technology by mandating the National Telecommunications
Commission to identify the locations for the construction of
telecommunications tower sites, giving due priority to the missionary areas
which remain unconnected and unserved or underserved; and

(6) DOST shall assist DepEd and DICT in using science, technology, and
innovation in accelerating the digital transformation of the basic education
sector, disrupting traditional teaching and learning processes, and boosting
the sector towards the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

In view of the foregoing, approval of this

; REX GATCHALIAN
Representative
istrict, Valenzuela City


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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL no. 3713

Sr

Introduced by HONORABLE REX GATCHALIAN
OOOO

AN ACT
MANDATING THE FULL DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
OF ALL PUBLIC AND PRIVATE BASIC EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS,
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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 “Digital
Transformation in Basic Education Act”.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to promote the right
of all citizens to quality education at all levels, take appropriate steps to make such
education accessible to all, and assign the highest budgetary priority to education.
The State also recognizes the vital role of communication and information in nation-
building, and shalll provide the policy environment for the full development of Filipino
capability and the emergence of communication structures suitable to the needs and
aspirations of the nation ~ including the aspiration for the uninterrupted delivery of
quality basic education in locations both inside and outside the physical premises of
our basic education institutions.

The State shall therefore give priority to science, technology and innovation to
accelerate social progress,-and promote their adaptation from all sources to ensure
that basic education institutions adopt and utilize digital technology to enhance
learning and teaching and streamline their workflows and processes to create an
equitable, effective and efficient learning environment. In the process, basic
education institutions shall ensure that all data gathered in their information and

communications systems are secured and protected.


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SEC. 3. Digital Transformation in Basic Education. - The Department of
Education (DepEd), in collaboration with the Department of Information and
Communications Technology (DICT) and the Department of Science and Technology
(DOST), shall ensure that public and private basic education institutions adopt the
uuse of digital technology to continuously deliver quality education towards the digital
transformation of the basic education system.

For this purpose, the DepEd shall mandate all schools to enhance and
Strengthen their Information and Communications Technology (ICT) capacity to
implement distance learning to provide every learner flexible and equitable access to
basic education. It shall be a system with minimal restrictions that emphasizes
flexibility to eradicate problems caused by barriers such as age, geographical
location, time, and economic situation. Distance learning may be delivered through
modular learning, online learning, television- or radio- based instruction, or a
combination thereof.

The DepEd shalll likewise ensure that its bureaus, divisions and offices digitally
streamline and integrate their workflows and processes, including but not limited to
the following:

(a) set up electronic and online systems that will make the means of
exchanging data and information between and among its offices, learners,
and parents secure, efficient, and seamless;

(b) streamline procedures by adopting automation and digitization of its
services to promote zero-contact policy and to facilitate their efficient
delivery;

(c) build up its technology capabilities, including the establishment of data
centers, data repositories, basic messaging and electronic mail facilities,
encryption systems, and cyber-security facilities;

(d) invest heavily into developing organizational capability and personnel
competencies that are well-suited to support digital transformation;

(€) promote and support the onboarding and training of personnel in using
electronic services;

() _ obtain and monitor networking tools to create channels of communication
with the general public and secure real-time feedback on their delivery of
basic education services; and

(g) design service processes and procedures that will promote efficiency and

@ sense of expediency, including but not limited to matters pertaining to


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enrollment, payments, documents submission, grades submission, and
parent-teacher meetings.

The DepEd shall collaborate with the DICT, the DOST and stakeholders in the
Private sector to develop, adopt, and implement digital transformation in its
organizational processes, especially for the distance learning system.

The relevant provisions of Republic Act No. 10650 or the “Open Distance
Learning Act’ shall be applied in complementarity with the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 4. Multi-Year Roadmap. ~To ensure the timely implementation of this Act,
the DepEd, the DICT and the DOST, in coordination with other relevant national
government agencies and private stakeholders, shall initiate the crafting and regular
updating of a multi-year roadmap (roadmap), supported by annual work and
financial plans,

The roadmap shall serve as a guide to implementing government agencies and
private stakeholders for the effective and efficient implementation of this Act. It shall
be part of and aligned with the basic education roadmap of the DepEd and the digital
transformation strategy of the government, and consistent with the ICT development
agenda of the country as provided in Republic Act No. 10844 or the “Department of
Information and Communications Technology Act of 2015”.

The roadmap shall likewise contain the current policy, practices, gaps, and
challenges affecting the development, adoption and implementation of digital
technology and set detailed targets and outcomes for a minimum period of five (5)
years. It shall further provide public and private stakeholders specific actions and
targeted interventions, including implementation and monitoring strategies and

annual budgetary requirements.

SEC. 5. The Bureau of Digital Transformation as Implementing Bureau. - The
DepEd, through its ICT Service, and in coordination with the DICT and the DOST,
shall implement, oversee, monitor, and evaluate compliance with the provisions of
this Act.

Upon the effectivity of this Act, the DepEd shall convert its existing ICT Service
into the Bureau of Digital Transformation to be headed by a Director who shall
oversee, monitor, and evaluate the implementation of this Act.

The Bureau shall:

(a) implement and regularly update the multi-year roadmap as provided in this

Act;



(b) coordinate with other implementing government agencies;

(c) ensure the conduct of training and capacity building of learners and
teachers, and the training of trainers, administrators, and supervisors;

(4) implement policies and standards for the use of distance learning
modalities, including the training of teachers on distance education;

(¢) supervise, monitor, evaluate, and assess the compliance, operations, and
performance of public and private basic education institutions on the use
of digital technology pursuant to this Act, and regularly submit reports to
the Secretary of Education (Secretary); and

( perform such other necessary functions for the effective and efficient
implementation of this Act.

Sec. 6. Digital Transformation Infrastructure and Free Public Wi-fi. - The DICT
shall provide and maintain the necessary digital infrastructure for the
implementation of this Act. It shall likewise implement measures to ensure the
availability and accessibility of reliable and secure Internet access suitable to the
needs of learners and teachers under the distance learning system. It shall further
accelerate the provision of free public wi-fi as mandated under R.A. No. 10929 or the
“Free Internet Access in Public Places Act’ to ‘strengthen teaching and learning,
especially in the remotest, unserved and disadvantaged communities.

The expertise, systems, and facilities of higher education institutions offering
distance or open learning shall likewise be tapped and adopted whenever necessary

for the development and conduct of distance learning in basic education institutions,

SEC. 7. Accelerated Provision of Reliable and Secure Internet Connection;
Escalation of the Building of the National Information and Telecommunications
Technology Infrastructure. -To ensure the availability of a reliable and secure Internet
connection suitable to the needs of learners and teachers for distance learning and
digital transformation, the DICT shall implement measures to accelerate the
installation, deployment and activation of the free public wi-fi in all public basic
education institutions and escalate the building of the national infrastructure for ICT
by mandating the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to identify the
locations for the construction of telecommunications tower sites, giving due priority
to the missionary areas which remain unconnected and unserved or underserved by
the Public Telecommunications Entities (PTEs), and require the PTEs to complete the
building of the targeted number of towers within two years from the effectivity of this


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Act.

The government, through the DICT, shall formulate and implement a system
to provide financing or incentives to PTEs in the construction of telecommunications
towers in the missionary areas.

PTEs refer to entities that are duly authorized to offer voice, short messaging
system or text, mobile data, value added services, or any other mobile
telecommunications services to the public for a fee.

For purposes of this section and pursuant to Republic Act No. 11032 or the
“Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018", all
relevant government agencies and local government units are required to process,
approve, and issue permits and clearances for the construction of

telecommunications towers within seven working days.

SEC. 8. Free Access to DepEd’s Online Platforms; Subsidized and Special
Services for Learners. - PTEs shall provide free access to the DepEd’s online
educational platforms, digital libraries, and other online knowledge hubs and sites
without any additional financial burden on all subscribers. No data charges shall
also be incurred in the download of data from these sites and applications.

Further, the NTC and the PTEs, in consultation with the DepEd and the DOST,
are hereby mandated to create systems and establish procedures in making available
special sim cards, plans, and services for distance education at minimal cost and
with no data caps, including their expedited sale and availment. They shall also
Provide subsidized data plans to learners whose parents are listed as beneficiaries
under the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction, otherwise
known as “Listahanan”, under the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

SEC. 9. Science, Technology and Innovation in the Digital Transformation of
Basic Education. - The DOST, pursuant to its mandate under Executive Order No.
128 to “provide central direction, leadership and coordination of scientific and
technological efforts and ensure that the results therefrom are geared and utilized in
areas of maximum economic and social benefits for the people”, shall assist the
DepEd and the DICT in the conceptualization, planning and implementation of the
digital transformation of the basic education system. It shall employ science,
technology and innovation in accelerating such transformation given the
development needs and existing capabilities and resources of the DepEd and the
basic education sector, disrupt traditional teaching and learning processes, and


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boost the sector towards the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

SEC. 10. Digital Transformation Mapping. - The DepEd shall establish and
maintain a mapping system to regularly determine the compliance of both public and
private basic education institutions with this Act.

Upon the effectivity of this Act, the DepEd, the DICT and the DOST shall
conduct a mapping of all these institutions to assess their preparedness for digital
transformation, and determine their specific needs and access to distance learning
tools such as ICT devices, connectivity, capability, and geographical location, among
others.

SEC. 11. Hiring and Training of Teachers, Para-teachers, and Other Personnel.
~ The hiring of additional teachers or para-teachers, or both, to upgrade the
organizational capacity of the DepEd to deliver continuous and quality education
under a distance learning system is hereby encouraged.

The DepEd shall develop and conduct continuous training programs,
workshops, or webinar sessions to equip teachers with the necessary knowledge and
skills and enhance their virtual teaching capacity and competence. In addition, the
Commission on Higher Education and the Technical Education and Skills
Development Authority shall integrate such training programs into formal pre-
service and in-service teacher training.

The DepEd shall tap the resources of other relevant government agencies, the
academe, the industry, and other private sector stakeholders in the training design
and delivery. It may also accredit training providers or content developers for this
purpose.

The DepEd, in consultation with the Department of Budget and Management,
may likewise create plantilla positions for the support staff to complement existing

personnel.

SEC. 12. Transitory Provision. - All public and private basic education
institutions shall be given two (2) years to implement the provisions of this Act and
its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR).

The DepEd, the DICT and the DOST shall assess the capacity and
Preparedness of these institutions to implement the provisions of this Act. They shall
likewise conduct an inventory of existing learning materials, facilities, and
infrastructure for distance learning and other alternative delivery modes.


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A report of such assessment and inventory shall be submitted to the
Committees on Basic Education of both houses of Congress within six (6) months
from the effectivity of this Act.

SEC. 13. Mandatory Review and Impact Assessment, Submission of Annual
Report to Congress. ~ The DepEd, the DICT and the DOST shall conduct a mandatory
review of the implementation of this Act not later than two (2) years from its effectivity
to determine its implementation status and impact.

An annual report of its implementation shall be submitted to the Committees
on Basic Education of both houses of Congress until its full implementation in all

public and private basic education institutions.

SEC. 14. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the implementation of
this Act shall be charged against those authorized in the current appropriations of
the DepEd, the DICT and the DOST. Thereafter, the amount necessary for its
continued implementation shall be included in the budget of the DepEd, the DICT
and the DOST in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 15. Implementing Rules and Regulations. ~ Within sixty (60) days after
the effectivity of this Act, the Secretaries of the DepEd, the DICT and the DOST, in
consultation with other concerned government agencies and education stakeholders,
shall issue the rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act. The
IRR issued pursuant to this section shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in a newspaper of general circulation.

SEC. 16. Separability Clause. ~ If any part, section, or provision of this Act is
declared invalid or unconstitutional, the other parts thereof not affected thereby shall

remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 17. Repealing Clause. ~ All laws, acts, presidential decrees, executive
orders, administrative orders, rules and regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent
with or contrary to the provisions of this Act are hereby amended or repealed
accordingly.


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SEC. 18. Effectivity. - Notwithstanding the non-issuance of the IRR, this Act
shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a

newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,

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