Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
 First Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. _______________
Introduced by ANG PROBINSYANO 
Party-List Representative Alfred Delos Santos
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Technology has revolutionized our way of life in every way imaginable.
In fact, it even revolutionized our economies in such a way that the speed of
information  determines  a  country’s  place  in  what  can  be  called  the
knowledge  economy.  Technology  has  made  a  whole  sea  of  information
readily available at our fingertips- largely thanks to the Internet. Almost any
piece of vital information can be accessed within a few taps o clicks. From
obscurer trivia related to literature, this has raised a generation of Filipinos
that is adept at utilizing technology to better accomplish the task presented
to them.
Given the monumental impact of technology, it is only natural that we
as a society should seek to integrate technology into our school systems.
This  means  incorporating  technology  so  that  issues  regarding  access,
quality, and relevance of education can be sufficiently addressed in new,
innovative ways.
Thus, the State should endeavor to develop a national educational
technology policy. We should be futurists when it comes to education. When
everyone else sees a flat line, the futurists see the curve. Through this piece
of  legislation,  students  shall  be  taught  information  and  communication
technology basics, digital citizenship, and digital productivity and creativity.
With the ever-evolving needs of the modern economy, the State should take
initiative and set the pace.
It is for the foregoing premises that the approval of this Bill is earnestly
sought.
ALFRED C. DELOS SANTOS
Representative, Ang Probinsyano Party-List
July 13, 2022
4:43 pm
1928


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
 First Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. _______________
Introduced by ANG PROBINSYANO 
Party-List Representative Alfred Delos Santos
AN ACT CREATING THE SCHOOLS OF THE FUTURE DRIVEN BY INFORMATION
AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY- TRANSFORMED EDUCATION, AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREOF
Be  it  enacted  by  the  Senate  and  the  House  of  Representatives  of  the
Philippines in Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Public Schools of the
Future in Technology (PSOFT) Act”
ARTICLE I
POLICIES AND OBJECTIVES
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. – Cognizant of the necessity of adopting
innovative technologies to attain development in more positive and transformative
ways, the State shall:
(a) Uphold the constitutional mandate to accord the highest priority to quality
education by providing appropriate mechanisms and resources to ensure the
enjoyment  of  quality  education  and  services  by  all  Filipino  students,
regardless of social and economic status;
(b) Harness technological innovations, approaches, and instruments in the
teaching and  learning processes  that  would enhance  the performance  of
students and teachers;
(c) Provide all learners with the opportunity to enhance individual capabilities
and knowledge through information and communications technology (ICT);
(d) Create  a  system  that  shall  promote  and  regulate  the  use  of  digital
technology in public education;
1928


(e) Enhance the learning experience of students by providing them access to
digitized  copies  of  necessary  reference  materials  and  digital  and  online
content  through  the  use  of  ICT  and  other  related  technologies  for  the
advancement of education in the country;
(f) Provide an accessible complementary mode of learning to allow students
to
continue their education during national health emergencies;
(g) Encourage the wider participation of private groups, local government
units (LGUs), and community-based organizations in content generation and
the utilization of the broader spheres of science and technology; and
(h) Promote public and private partnership in improving access to quality
education and lifelong learning.
SECTION 3. Objectives. – This Act shall pursue the following objectives:
(a) Establish an Interagency Taskforce to craft and implement the road map
for the PSOFT;
(b) Institutionalize a program for the integration of digital technology and
innovation in public basic education through the PSOFT Road Map;
(c) Identify key components of the PSOFT Road Map; and
(d) Provide a public-private partnership (PPP) mechanism to facilitate the
attainment of the objectives of the PSOFT Road Map.
ARTICLE II
DEFINITION OF TERMS
SECTION 4. Definition of Terms. – As used in this Act:– 
(a)  Fourth  Industrial  Revolution  –  refers  to  the  ongoing  automation  of
traditional  manufacturing  and  industrial  practices  using  modern  smart
technology  by  integrating  advances  in  large-scale  machine-to-machine
communication,  artificial  intelligence,  genetic engineering,  the  Internet  of
Things,  and  other  technologies  for  increased  automation,  improved
communication and self-monitoring, and production of smart machines that
can analyze and diagnose issues without the need for human intervention;
(b)  High  Touch,  High  Tech  Framework  –  refers  to  a  policy  framework
supported by the United Nations Education Commission that espouses the
need  for  educators  to  find  a  balance  between  the  more  modern
electronically-delivered and digitally-supported method of teaching and the
traditional face-to-face mode, the latter being teaching methods that are
founded  on  a  teacher’s  capability  to  identify,  develop,  and  improve  an
individual student’s academic weakness;


(c)  Internet  safety  policy  –  refers  to  an  age-appropriate,  research-based
policy that regulates the safe, ethical, and responsible use of the Internet in
public education, promotes an informed and critical understanding of the
Internet,  and  the  education  of  children  and  communities  about  how  to
prevent or respond to problems or dangers related to the Internet and new
media; and
(d)  New  media  –  refers  to  emerging  digital,  computerized,  or  network
information  and  communication  technologies  that  often  have  interactive
capacities, which includes e-mail, instant messaging, text messaging, web
sites,  blogs,  interactive  gaming,  social  media,  cellphones,  and  mobile
devices.
SECTION 5. Public Schools of the Future in Technology (PSOFT). –  There is
hereby instituted a PSOFT in all public elementary and secondary schools.
The  PSOFT  shall  adopt  the  following  principles  upon  administering  basic
education in the public school system:
(a) Broaden and maximize the use of ICT to aid learning;
(b)  Establish  a  system  of  upgrading  and  replacing  outdated
technology;
(c) Provide technical support to maintain ICT and other technology;
(d)  Train  and  support  teachers  and  students  on  ICT  and  other
technology;
(e) Develop educators to use ICT effectively in the classroom; and
(f) Ensure that the balance between modern and traditional methods of
teaching are equally utilized to obtain optimum learning outcomes.
SECTION 6. Creation of the PSOFT Inter-Agency Task Force (PSOFT-IATF). –
There is hereby created the PSOFT-IATF.– 
The  PSOFT-IATF  shall,  in  consultation  with  concerned  non-government
entities,  including  private  companies,  non-profit  organizations,  and  private
educational  institutions,  develop  the  PSOFT  Road  Map,  a  consolidation  of
development  plans,  programs,  and  projects  to  be  implemented  by  various
departments and agencies of the national government for the purpose of advancing
digital technology and innovation in public basic education.
The PSOFT-IATF shall be composed of the Secretary of the Department of
Education (DepEd) as Chairperson and the following as members: (1) Secretary of
the  Department  of  Information  and  Communication  Technology  (DICT);  (2)
Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST); (3) Secretary of
the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA); (4) Secretary of the
Department of Budget and Management (DBM); and (5) Director General of the
Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA).


The PSOFT-IATF shall finalize the PSOFT Road Map within twelve (12) months
from the effectivity of this Act, in accordance with national development goals. The
PSOFT Road Map shall be incorporated in the Philippine Development Plan.
Subject to the approval of the DBM, the DepEd, DICT, and PhilSA may create
positions as they deem necessary for the effective implementation of this Act, in
accordance with civil service laws, rules and regulations.
The  Department  of  Social  Welfare  and  Development  shall  formulate  a
program  extending  assistance  to  marginalized  and  disadvantaged  students  to
ensure that they may fully participate in the PSOFT Road Map.
SECTION 7. PSOFT Road Map. – The PSOFT Road Map shall serve as the basis
for programs and projects aimed at improving the quality of education through the
use of digital technology. The PSOFT Road Map shall be subject to review and
amendment, if necessary, every three (3) years.
SECTION  8.  Components  of  the  Roadmap. –  The  PSOFT  Road  Map  shall
include the following:
(a) Physical and Technological Infrastructure
(1) Universal Access to Internet for Public Schools
(2) Annual Investment Program for ICT Devices, Tools, and Equipment
(b) Enhanced Digital Education Program
(1) National Human Resource Development
(2) Training and Development of DepEd personnel
(c) Digital Reforms in Public School Administration
(1) Internet Safety Policy
(2) Strengthening the Enhanced Basic Education Information System
(EBEIS)
(3) Digital Alternative Learning System (ALS)
(d) Development of Online Learning Portals
(1) DepEd E-Learning Resources
(2) Public Online Library
ARTICLE IV
PHYSICAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL INFRASTRUCTURE
SECTION 9. Universal Access to the Internet in Public Schools. – All public
basic education schools shall be provided access to the Internet for the purpose of
reducing the disparity in computing and information technology knowledge among
public school learners and raising the standards of Philippine education.
In  addition  to  traditional  means  of  accessing  the  Internet,  such  as
commercially available connections or existing land-based initiatives of government
programs to expand access to the Internet, the PSOFT Road Map shall exhaust all
options in ensuring internet connectivity for all public schools.


In order to provide the remote areas with digital connectivity, the PSOFT
Road Map shall provide cost-effective options of establishing a telecommunication
satellite or installing fiber optic technology infrastructure as part of the National
Government Program under the DICT, DOST, and PhilSA.
The necessary funding for the conduct of studies to determine the feasibility
of  implementing  a  Telecommunication  Satellite  Program,  through  the  building,
purchase, or lease of a satellite, shall be appropriated in accordance with the PSOFT
Road Map.
SECTION 10. ICT Devices, Tools, and Equipment. – The DepEd shall provide
the  following  equipment  and  services  in  all  public  elementary  and  secondary
schools:  personal  computers  (PCs),  laptops,  tablets,  learning  devices,  digital
classroom equipment, and internet and hybrid intranet connectivity.
The PSOFT Road Map shall include a plan for the procurement of PCs, laptops
or tablets for the educational needs of all elementary and secondary public schools.
All learners will be provided with the necessary learning devices as stipulated in the
PSOFT Road Map. Should budgetary constraints prevent the attainment of such
target, the national government shall endeavor to meet a ratio of one (1) device for
every two (2) learners from Grades 4-6 to ensure that learners can make use of
productivity tools in the conduct of regular classes. The national government shall
also maintain one (1) device for every fifteen (15) learners from Grades 7-12 to
ensure that learners can avail of weekly classes on ICT topics that require higher
computing power.
The PSOFT Road Map shall provide for the establishment of functional digital
classrooms in all public schools. Digital classrooms shall be equipped with digital
boards,  computers,  wireless  router,  multimedia  projector,  printer,  and  other
necessary tools and devices.
The PSOFT Road Map shall likewise provide for stable and reliable internet
and hybrid intranet connectivity. Educators in public schools shall make use of ICT
and hybrid intranet connectivity as presentation tools to complement traditional
teaching methods. The DepEd, with the technical assistance of DICT, shall develop
an administrative system in all public schools utilizing hybrid intranet connectivity in
order to enhance organizational management and administration, and streamline
front office procedures.
SECTION 11. PSOFT Pilot Schools. – The national government shall establish
PSOFT pilot schools in the academic year following the effectivity of this Act. The
pilot schools shall be located in Metro Manila, Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao and
shall fully comply with the requirements of Article IV in this Act, as follows:
(a) The pilot school shall have full, unrestricted access to the internet and for
this purpose shall be equipped with wireless technology or such other modes
of connectivity that may be developed: Provided, That school administrators
shall closely supervise the access of learners to content in order to protect
them from inappropriate, violent, or immoral material;


(b) Teachers shall be adequately trained in all technologies that the pilot
schools shall adopt for the use of learners;
(c) All pilot schools shall employ trained information technology specialists to
assist faculty and learners; and
(d)  All  pilot  schools  shall  provide  each  teacher  and  learner  with  the
appropriate ICT devices, tools, and equipment to ensure optimum satisfaction
in both the teaching and learning experiences.
The DepEd shall, in coordination with NEDA, conduct an impact study of the
pilot schools to determine its potential in improving the quality of education.
Additional pilot schools may be established in the following years, subject to
the availability of funds and through cooperative arrangements with LGUs
and the public sector.
ARTICLE V
ENHANCED DIGITAL EDUCATION
SECTION 12. National Human Resource Development. – Students in public
elementary and secondary schools must be prepared for the disruptive technologies
that come with the Fourth Industrial Revolution and have a significant impact on
skills requirements and on creating a range of opportunities for them in the future.
To  better  equip  students  to  overcome  the  challenges  enabled  by  ever-
increasing  technological  change  and  to  improve  student  engagement  and
achievement,  they  shall  be  provided  with  introductory  courses  on  foundational
technology that will enhance their future competencies. The DepEd shall determine
the content and mode of delivery of such foundational technology courses and shall
introduce them in the curriculum in the school year following the effectivity of this
Act.
To allow students to acquire the appropriate aptitudes and competencies on
these  courses,  the  PSOFT  Road  Map  shall  provide  for  the  establishment  of
innovation  hubs  in  every  school  to  enable  students  to  hone  their  skills  and
techniques using a wide variety of physical and digital tools and equipment. The
innovation hubs shall allow teachers and learners to carry out technology-based
projects that address local problems in the community.
In addition to the standard ICT curriculum taught for basic education in the
public schools, the DepEd shall endeavor to include the following subject matters in
its curriculum:
(a) Respecting and protecting personal information on the Internet;
(b) Understanding computer security systems;
(c) Online gender sensitivity;
(d) Proper use of social media and social networking;


(e)  Responsible  and  ethical  use  of  the  Internet,  photographic
equipment, smart phones, and other equipment of similar nature; and
(f) Insights of Republic Act No. 10175, or the “Cybercrime Prevention
Act” and other related legislation.
The DepEd shall, in coordination with the DICT, enjoin the use of the latter’s
ICT Literacy Competency and Development Bureau and its relevant specialized ICT
subjects to be utilized as elective courses in Grades 11-12.
SECTION 13. Training and Development of DepEd Personnel. – The PSOFT
Road  Map  shall  determine  the  training  and  development  needs  of  school
administrators, teachers, and personnel with respect to ICT.
To ensure that teachers are technologically knowledgeable and well-equipped
with the right aptitudes and competencies, the DepEd shall establish an Education
Technology Division that shall implement teaching programs and utilize technology-
based instruction aids for the effective and efficient performance of teachers under
the PSOFT Road Map. The DICT shall extend its support in the implementation of
training for teachers on ICT, through its ICT Literacy Competency and Development
Bureau.
The National Educators Academy of the Philippines shall carry out training
programs for educators in public schools and integrate ICT in classroom learning
and instruction to highlight the professional and educational benefits that may be
derived from personally investing in ICT.
ARTICLE VI
DEVELOPMENT OF ONLINE LEARNING PORTALS
SECTION 14. DepEd E-Learning Resources.  – The DepEd shall develop an
online portal that provides access or links to Internet learning resources. The online
portal  shall  include  the  following:  e-books  and  videos,  learning  materials  and
teachers  guides,  materials  for  senior  high  school  subjects  ranging  from  math,
disaster readiness, and science, materials on science, agriculture, livelihood and
information  technology,  interactive  exercises  on  math,  science,  history,  and
economics.
The DepEd shall develop its own library to ensure the quality and safety of
knowledge and information made available to learners.
SECTION 15. Public Online Library. – The PSOFT Road Map shall include the
establishment of the Public Online Library.
The DepEd, DICT, DOST, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and
the  Technical  Education  and  Skills  Development  Authority  (TESDA)  shall,  in
partnership with the National Library of the Philippines (NLP), the National Book
Development Board (NBDB), and other concerned government agencies, develop
and maintain the Public Online Library, a repository of educational materials and


digitized  copies  of  books  and  publications  suitable  for  Filipino  students  and
researchers  that  shall  enrich  the  learning  experience  by  complementing  the
textbooks and reference materials prescribed for the elementary and secondary
levels. The Public Online Library shall be directly connected to the website of the
Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). The DepEd and the NLP shall have joint custody
over the digitized copies of textbooks and references in the Public Online Library
which shall be jointly managed by the DepEd and the DICT. In this regard, the DICT
shall ensure the security of the online repository system to guarantee its integrity.
The DepEd may solicit additional reference materials and publications from
the NLP, other agencies of the government, and the private sector to augment its
resources. 
The authors of the digitized books and publications shall be strictly covered
by the protection provided for in R.A. 8293, as amended, otherwise known as the
“Intellectual  Property  Code  of  the  Philippines.”  The  DepEd  and  all  concerned
agencies shall ensure that the authors of the digitized books and publications shall
be properly remunerated in accordance with law.
ARTICLE VII
DIGITAL REFORM IN PUBLIC SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION
SECTION 16. Internet Safety Policy. – To advance the objective of providing a
safe and secured education program under the PSOFT Road Map, the DepEd shall,
within six (6) months after the effectivity of this Act, formulate and enforce an
internet safety policy in order to regulate students' access to content, especially
against visual depictions that are obscene, pornographic, and harmful to minors. In
this  regard,  the  internet  safety  policy  shall  be  implemented  to  accomplish  the
following objectives:
(a) Development and implementation of Internet safety education, including
safe  access  to  educational  technology,  multimedia  and  interactive
applications, and online resources;
(b) Development of online risk interventions for learners and children;
(c)  Training  and  support  to  stakeholders  on  peer-driven  Internet  safety
education initiatives;
(d) Undertaking of researches on online risks to form the bases for Internet
safety education syllabi and instructional material development;
(e)  Development  and  implementation  of  a  public  education  campaign  to
promote awareness of online risks to learners and children; and
(f) Education of parents to augment school initiatives on safe Internet use.
SECTION  17.  Strengthening  the  Enhanced  Basic  Education  Information
System. – The EBEIS shall be the central school database of the DepEd which shall
contain  pertinent  personal  data  and  school  records  of  students.  It  shall  be
continually improved to ensure the efficient management of school records.
School administrators and personnel shall be trained on the operation and
access of the EBEIS and be given access to student records and other related data


in the EBEIS such as a student’s school attendance record, records pertaining to the
character of a student, the level of the student’s digital literacy and proficiency,
grade  level,  examination  scores,  school  performance,  immunization  and  health
records,  among  others,  for  purposes  of  recording  student  biographical  data,
handling admissions and discharges, and transferring to other schools.
Any person who is caught illegally altering, falsifying, or misusing student
information  in  the  EBEIS  shall  be  sanctioned  in  accordance  with  R.A.  10173,
otherwise known as the “Data Privacy Act of 2012”.
SECTION 18. Digital Alternative Learning System. – The DepEd shall institute
a digital format of the ALS in the PSOFT Road Map. To attain this objective, the
DepEd shall provide professional training to teachers and non-teaching personnel
involved  in  this  program  and  formulate  the  necessary  guidelines  for  its
implementation.
ARTICLE VIII
PARTNERSHIP MECHANISM AND ROLES OF PARTNERS
SECTION  19.  Partnership  Mechanism  and  Roles  of  Partners.–  –  In  the
furtherance of the PSOFT Road Map, the DepEd may coordinate and enter into an
agreement or contract with other government agencies, LGUs, private and non-
profit agencies, institutions or organizations duly accredited or recognized by the
government,  civil  society,  business  and  industrial  sector,  and  other  concerned
sectors.
The PSOFT Road Map shall define and delineate the areas of responsibility of
government agencies in conformity with their respective charters and mandates.
For purposes of this Act, these agencies shall have the following roles:
(a)  The DepEd shall be the lead government  agency  responsible  for  the
proper and effective implementation of the various provisions of this Act and
ensure coordination and collaboration among agencies of the government.
(b) The DICT shall provide advice on matters relating to ICT and closely
coordinate  and  collaborate  in  the  implementation  of  this  Act.  It  shall
undertake  the installation,  maintenance,  and operation  of hybrid intranet
connectivity in all public basic education schools, provide an efficient and
reliable broadband connection, assist in the implementation of training and
development for teachers concerning ICT and ICT- assisted instructions, and
coordinate and collaborate in the provision of digital connectivity in public
schools.
(c) The PhilSA shall advise and collaborate with DepEd on matters concerning
the  use  of  space  technology  and  relevant  space-enabled  services  to
implement the provisions of this Act.


(d) The DOST, CHED, TESDA, DILG, NLP, NBDB, PSA, the LGUs, and other
concerned government agencies mentioned in this Act shall provide support
and assistance for the attainment of the purposes of the PSOFT.
SECTION 20. Public-Private Partnership (PPP) for PSOFT. – The DepEd may
pursue PPPs from any of the modalities under R.A. 6957, as amended by R.A. 7718,
entitled,  “An  Act  Authorizing  the  Financing,  Construction,  and  Operation  and
Maintenance of Infrastructure Projects by the Private Sector, and For the Other
Purposes”.
To this end, the DepEd shall, in consultation with the PPP Center of the
Philippines  created  under  Executive  Order  No.  8,  series  of  2010,  entitled,
“Reorganizing and Renaming the Build-Operate and Transfer Center to the Public-
Private Partnership Center of the Philippines and Transferring its Attachment from
the Department of Trade and Industry to the National Economic and Development
Authority and For Other Purposes”, establish a PPP Unit to coordinate all matters
relating to PPP, in accordance with the PSOFT Road Map. It shall likewise coordinate
with the  Project  Development and Monitoring  Facility  of  the  PPP  Center  in the
conduct of feasibility studies and the preparation of tender documents for the PPP
projects of the DepEd.
ARTICLE IX
AUTHORITY TO RECEIVE DONATIONS
SECTION 21. Authority to Receive Donations. – The DepEd is authorized to
accept grants, contributions, donations, endowments, or bequests in cash or kind
from local and foreign sources in support of the development and implementation of
this Act, subject to the regular auditing guidelines and procedures: Provided, That in
case  of donations from foreign sources,  acceptance  thereof shall be subject to
existing  government  rules  and  regulations.  The  proceeds  of  such  grants,
contributions, donations, endowments, or bequests shall be used to finance the
following:
(a) Establishment of pilot schools as provided in Section 11 of this Act;
(b)  Research,  development,  and  utilization  of  emerging  digital
technologies;
(c)  Provisions  of  computer  laptop  units  and  improvement  of  ICT
infrastructure, including hardware and Internet connectivity;
(d) Training and capacity building; and
(e) Conduct of other activities necessary to carry out the objectives of
this Act.
ARTICLE X
THE JOINT CONGRESSIONAL OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE AND
REPORTORIAL RESPONSIBILITIES
SECTION 22. Joint Congressional Oversight. – Upon the effectivity of this Act,
a Joint Congressional Oversight Committee is hereby constituted. The Oversight
Committee shall be composed of ten (10) members with the chairpersons of the
Committee on Basic Education, Arts and Culture and the Committee on Finance of


the Senate, and the Committee on Basic Education and Culture and the Committee
on  Appropriations  of  the  House  of  Representatives  as  members  and  three  (3)
additional members from each House to be designated by the Senate President and
the Speaker of the House of Representatives, respectively. The members of the
Committee from each House shall have at least one (1) member from the minority
party or coalition.
SECTION 23. Annual Report. – The DepEd shall submit to both Houses of
Congress, or upon the request by the Joint Congressional Oversight Committee, a
report giving a detailed account of the status of the implementation of this Act.
ARTICLE XI
FINAL PROVISIONS
SECTION 24. Appropriations. – The Secretaries of Education and Information
and  Communications  Technology  and  the  Director-General  of  PHilSA  shall
immediately include in their respective programs the implementation of this Act,
the funding of which shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
The funding for the implementation of PSOFT Pilot Schools under Section 11
hereof shall be charged against the current year’s appropriation of the DepEd.
SECTION 25. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within one hundred-
twenty (120) days from the effectivity of this Act, the DepEd and DICT shall, in
coordination  with other concerned agencies of the government and the private
stakeholders,  promulgate  the  necessary  rules  and  regulations  for  the  effective
implementation of this Act.
SECTION  26.  Repealing  Clause. –  All  laws,  executive  orders,  presidential
decrees  or  issuances,  letters  of  instruction,  administrative  orders,  rules,  and
regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.
SECTION 27. Separability Clause – If any provision of this Act is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall remain in full
force and effect. 
SECTION 28. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,