Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS.
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. _1249

Introduced by HONORABLE LUIS RAYMUND F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Much has been accomplished to incorporate digital technology into
public schools throughout the Philippines. From providing personal computers
in order to promote and support computer literacy, the State is henceforth
progressing towards the use of Information and Communications Technology
and its various components in order to upgrade and modemize the
educational system, to enhance the quality of education and to achieve equity
in the acquisition of skills among all students.

There is therefore a need to address the varying number, age,
accessibility to and use of computers and other technology in different districts
and schools. Much remains to be done including a systematic uporading and
replacing of outdated digital technology, providing the professional
development needed to enable educators to use such digital technology more
effectively in the classroom and providing the technical and informational
support to maintain and enhance the prevailing systems.

Laying down the foundation for the effective institutionalization of the
use of digital technology in public education has never been more important
and necessary. For example, efficient resource mobilization and funding
generation is key to the management of the costs of purchasing, maintaining,
upgrading and replacing digital technology that is ever evolving.
Consequently, spending limited and finite government resources in attempting
to maintain old, outdated technology may not be aligned with the principles of
effective and prudent utilization of government finances.

The institutionalization of the use of digital technology in public
education goes beyond the systematic provision of technical and infrastructure


requirements; It would pave the way for the successful establishment and
management of user centered knowledge and information resources for
teachers and the students, the development of digital learning materials for
use inside and outside of classrooms, the continuous advancement of
teachers and school administrator's knowledge and skills on technology
through professional trainings, development and competency assessment,
among others.

The foregoing premises considered, the expeditious approval of this Bill

is earnestly sought.

LUE ‘MI F, VILLAFUERTE, JR.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

1249

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by HONORABLE LUIS RAYMUND F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING THE USE OF DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY IN
THE PUBLIC EDUCATION SYSTEM

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

SECTION 4. Short Title- This Act shall be known as the Institutionalization of
Digital Technology in Public Education Act of 2016.

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. It is the declared policy of the State to
provide quality education for all its citizens. Consequently, it is the policy of the
State to promote the adaptation of digital technology from all sources for the
national benefit and encourage the widest participation of private groups, local
governments, and community-based organizations in the generation and
utilization of the broader spheres of science and technology.

For this purpose, the State shall create a system that will promote and
regulate the use of digital technology in public education.

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. — As used in this Act, the following terms
are defined as follows:

(a)"information and Communications Technology" or "ICE" shall mean the
totality of electronic means to collect, store, process and present
information to end-users in support of their activities and services. It
includes, but is not limited to, computer systems, office systems and
consumer electronics, as well as networked information infrastructure, the
components of which include telephone, cable, wireless and satellite
systems, the Internet, fax machines and computers;

(b)"Digital technology" shall mean electronic technology that generates,
stores, and processes data in such a manner that content may be created,
viewed, distributed, modified, and preserved on digital electronic devices;


(c)"DepEd" shall mean the Department of Education;

(@)"DICT" shall mean the Department of Information and Communications
Technology;

(€)"DOST" shall mean the Department of Science and Technology;
(®) "CHED" shall mean the Commission on Higher Education; and

(g)"Blended Learning" shall mean education program in which a student
learns at least in part through delivery of content and instruction via digital
and online media with some element of student control over time, place,
path, or pace.

SECTION 4. Digital Technology Road Map for Public Schools - The DepEd,
shall, in consultation and in coordination with DICT, DOST and CHED,
formulate a road map for the use of digital technology in public education
within six (6) months from the effectivity of this Act. The road map shall serve
as basis for planning, research and development, and monitoring of activities.

It shall be formulated based on the existing strategic plans, current and future
capacities and the potential for adopting the emerging digital technologies, in
accordance with the national development goals. The Technology Road Map
for Public Schools shall include the following objectives:

(a) Broadening and maximizing the use of digital technology to aid leaning in
a rapidly changing and increasingly globalized environment;

(b) Establishing as system of upgrading and replacing outdated technology
and providing technical support to maintain the systems.

(c) Providing sufficient training and support for teachers and students in the
use of digital technology in public education; and

(d) Providing the professional development to enable educators to use digital
technology more effectively in the classroom.

The road map shall be reviewed every five (5) years, or as may be deemed
necessary.

SECTION 5. Programs. The Digital Technology Road Map shall include, but
not limited to, the following programs:

A. Adequate Digital Technology Resources. Access to computers with a
variety of software shall be ensured in order to reinforce the skills and
concepts that are being taught in the classroom as well as assistance in
choosing appropriate software for their subject and grade level.


B. _ Systematic Computer Replacement Schedule. A computer replacement
schedule shall be instituted to ensure that computers are consistently being
upgraded and old equipment are timely disposed.

C. Maintenance. Technical support shall be provided in order to fix
technical problems. Teachers and students shall receive instruction to do
simple maintenance and troubleshooting.

D. Equipment Inventory. An annual equipment inventory shall be
conducted to obtain data necessary to determine costs.

E. Appropriate Professional Development. Professional development
opportunities shall be provided for teachers based on their needs. Training
opportunities in a variety of times, locations and delivery modes shall likewise
be provided.

F. Blended and Collaborative Learning. The digital technology road map
will apply a blended learning where students will learn through a combination
of different delivery methods of teaching that includes traditional classroom
learning and digital technology-enhanced learning such as learning online for
optimum teaching and learning from among the students and the teachers.

G. Development of Digital Materials. Digital materials for use in the
classrooms shall be developed and made available to all public elementary,
secondary schools nationwide.

H. Curriculum Development. DepEd shall undertake to implement the
digitization of curriculum content and the creation of ready-to-use and
customizable LCT-based resources.

SECTION 6. Annual Report. The Secretary of Education shall submit to both
Houses of Congress, or upon the request of the Congressional Oversight
Committee, a report giving a detailed account of the status of the
implementation of this Act.

SECTION 7 - Authority to Receive Donations or Grants. DepEd is authorized
to accept grants, contributions, donations, endowments, bequests, or gifts in
cash, or in kind from local and foreign sources in support of the development
and implementation of this Act. The proceeds of such grants, contributions,
donations, endowments, bequests, or gifts in cash, or in kind shall be used to
finance the following:

a) Research, development and utilization of emerging digital technologies;

b) Improvement of ICT infrastructure including hardware and Internet
connectivity;

©) Training and capacity building; and

d) Conduct of such other activities reasonably necessary to carry out the
objectives of this Act.


SECTION 8. Appropriations. The amount of Five Hundred Million Pesos
(PhP5000,000.000.00)is hereby appropriated as the initial operating fund.
Thereafter, such amount necessary to effectively carry out provisions of this
Act shall be included in the General Appropriations Act.

SECTION 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. Within ninety (90) days
from the effectivity of this Act, DepEd shall, with DOST, CHED and DICT,
prepare and promulgate rules and regulations necessary to carry out
provisions of this Act.

SECTION 10. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, orders, proclamations,
tules and regulations or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with this Act are
hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SECTION 11. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) national newspapers of
general circulation.

Approved,