SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES }
Second Regular Session

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

6853

EXPLANATORY NOTE

House Bill No.

Section 4(1) of Article XIV of the Constitution provides that the State recognizes the
complementary roles of public and private institutions in the educational system and shall
exercise reasonable supervision and regulation of all educational institutions. In the exercise of
this supervision, the State can regulate the use of technologies and gadgets by the students
which have adverse effects on their education.

The bringing in and use by the students of cellular phones in elementary and high
schools is a very common practice now. However this practice of bringing cellphones disrupts
leaming. Even though schools require that phones be tumed off during school hours, such a
rule is difficult to enforce. Students often forget to tum off their phones in class. When a phone
rings in class, the entire classroom is disrupted. Even if set to silent, cell phones can still cause
distraction. Cell phones are now so small that students can use them surreptitiously in class.
Cellphones may also be used by the students in cheating during exams and taking
inappropriate photos. Further, students have been known to use cell phones to call in bomb
threats to schools, to avoid or condense class time. Hence, this bill seeks to ban the bringing in
and use of cellphones by students in all public and private elementary and high schools.

In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

MAXIMO B. RODRIGUEZ, JR.

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SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
Second Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Maximo B, Rodriguez, Jr.
6853

House Bill No.

AN ACT
BANNING THE BRINGING IN AND USE OF CELLULAR PHONES BY STUDENTS IN ALL
PUBLIC AND PRIVATE ELEMENTARY AND HIGH SCHOOLS

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

SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby declared to be the policy of the State to
regulate the bringing in and use of cellular phones by students in all public and private
elementary and high schools

SECTION 2. Ban on Bringing in and Use of Cellular. — Students in all public and private
elementary and high schools are not allowed to bring nor use cellular phones in school.

SECTION 3. Landlines and Cellular Phones in Schools. — Public and Private Elementary and
High Schools shall purchase and install landlines and cellular phones solely devoted for the use
of students to contact their parents and guardians when necessary

SECTION 4. Rules and Regulations. — The Secretary of the Department of Education shall
promulgate the rules and regulations for the effective enforcement of the provisions of this Act
and shall cause the same to be published within fifteen days from promulgation, in three
newspapers of general circulation in the Philippines and shall take effect as such, fifteen days
after their publication

SECTION 5. Separability Clause. — The provisions of this Act are hereby declared to be
separable, and in the event any part, section or provision of this Act is held invalid or
unconstitutional, no other part, section or provision thereof shall be affected thereby.

SECTION 6. Repealing Clause. — All laws, parts of laws, executive orders, ordinances, rules
and regulations which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed,
amended or modified accordingly.

SECTION 7. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (I5) days following
the completion of its publication in the Official Gazette or in a national newspaper of general
circulation in the Philippines.

Approved,