Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

H.B.No.___5625

Introduced by HONORABLE SCOTT DAVIES S. LAN ETE, M.D.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Article XII, Section 14 of the 1987 Constitution declares, “The sustained
development of a reservoir of national talents consisting of Filipino scientists, entrepreneurs,
professionals, managers, high-level technical manpower and skilled workers and craftsmen
in all fields shall be promoted by the State.”

Throughout the past five years, the country has experienced exponential growth in the
Information Technology (‘“IT) and Business Process Management (“BPM”) industry. Reports
would reveal that in the past three years alone, an estimate of fifty billion dollars
($50,000,000,000,00) has been generated by the industry, This growth has been due to the
relatively lay cost of business in the Philippines and the Filipino’s linguistic skills,
particularly in English, Thus, more and more foreign investors are flocking the country
establishing IT and BPM centers which are more popularly known as “call centers”

The IT and BPM industry has received a major boost as young Filipinos became
attracted to the relatively high salaries offered by call centers. This has had the effect of
lowering the country’s unemployment rate. Moreover, for a person belonging to a poor
family, employment in call centers have been seen as a way towards alleviation from poverty
as it offers highly competitive salaries compared to other available jobs. However, as the
proliferation of call centers continues, there is an accompanying need for sustainability as
neighboring countries are catching up making the competition tight.

In order to sustain growth in the IT and BPM industry, there is a need to equip more
Filipinos with adequate skills geared towards employment in the industry. The State should
entice younger Filipinos, especially the underprivileged, in choosing IT and BPM as their
field of concentration. By prioritizing the marginalized, the State will not only sustain growth
in the industry but also lend a helping hand to the underprivileged citizens


Hence, this Bill seeks to provide free tertiary education in information and
communication technology to all graduates of public schools. By doing so, the principles
enshrined in the Constitution will be upheld. Therefore, the immediate passage of this Bill is
sought for.

\COTT DAVIES S. LANETE, M.D.
Representative
Third District, Province of Masbate


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

H.B.No.__5625

Introduced by HONORABLE SCOTT DAVIES 8. LANETE, M.D.

AN ACT PROVIDING FREE INFORMATION AND COMMUNIC, iON
TECHNOLOGY COURSES IN STATE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
AND FOR OTHER PURPOS!

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 “/ee Information and
Communication Technology Courses Act of 2015”.

SECTION 2. Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to promote and sustain a
reservoir of national talents consisting of high-level manpower in the field of information
technology and business processing management

SECTION 3. Definitions. - For purposes of this Act

(a) “Free information and communication technology courses” shall mean any college
degree course especially catered to information and business processing industry offere in
State colleges and universities;

(b) “State Colleges and Universities” refers to institutions of higher learning, including
specialized schools, maintained and funded by the government;

(©) “Qualified beneficiaries” shall mean all graduates of public high schools belonging to
marginalized families;

(d) “Tuition fee: shall refer to the fee representing the direct costs of instruction and training
facilities;

(c) “Other School Fees” refers to fees covering other necessary costs supportive of
instruction, including, but not limited to medical and dental, athletic, library and
laboratory fees;

SECTION 4. Free information and communication technology courses — \t is hereby
mandated the establishment of free information and communication technology courses in all


State colleges and universities. Qualified beneficiaries intending to enroll or already enrolled in
such courses shall be free from payment of tuition and other school related fees and shall be
entitled to other benefits as may be granted in accordance with such rules and regulations to be
promulgated hereinafter. Provided, that nothing in this Act shall cause or authorize the
diminution or removal of any benefit which the government presently grants to the beneficiaries

SECTION 5. Limitations — The right of any beneficiary to avail of the benefits granted in this
Act shall cease if he or she fails any three (3) subjects included in the course curriculum.

SECTION 6, Repealing Clause. - All laws, rules, regulations, orders, circulars, and memoranda
inconsistent with any provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 7. Separability Clause. - Should any provision of this Act be declared invalid or
unconstitutional, no other provisions hereof shall be thereby affected

SECTION 8. Appropriation. - The amount necessary for the implementation of this Act for the
first five (5) years shall be sourced out from the gross annual revenues of the Philippine Charity
Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) and thereafter in a special fund to be included in the annual General
Appropriations Act.

SECTION 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Commission on Higher Education
(CHED), shall, within six (6) months after its approval prepare and issue the necessary
guidelines to implement the same.

SECTION 10, Effectivity, - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its publication
in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,