Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY REP. PM VARGAS 
AN ACT 
INCORPORATING SCAM PREVENTION EDUCATION IN THE SENIOR 
HIGH SCHOOL CURRICULA, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, 
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Over the years, fraudsters and scammers have become more 
dangerous and have proliferated even in the digital space especially during 
the pandemic. Various scams and economic fraud have threatened not only 
wealthy businesses but also individual citizens. Those who do not have 
access to education or enough information on their existing modus operandi 
are vulnerable to these crimes. 
The Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group have reported 
increased online scams and computer-related identity theft during the 
quarantine season1.  A major telecommunications provider has also reported 
that its cybersecurity and data privacy team had deactivated 5,670 
confirmed spam and phishing numbers and blocked 71 million spam and 
phishing messages this year2. 
Amid the pandemic, the country’s Anti-Money Laundering Council 
(AMLC) has received a 57% increase of reports of suspicious transactions 
indicating a surge in financial scams3. 
While scams typically target adults, the recent increased exposure and 
access of school-aged children to the internet, have also made them prey to 
fraudulent schemes. 
1 Philippine Star. 2020 https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2020/10/25/2052110/online-scams-
spike-during-quarantine Accessed Online on August 24, 2022   
2 
Manila 
Bulletin. 
2022 
https://mb.com.ph/2021/11/22/globe-blocks-71m-spam-messages-
deactivates-over-5k-spam-numbers/ Accessed Online on August 24, 2022   
3 https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-11-20/philippines-sees-surge-in-financial-scams-
during-pandemic 
September 1, 2022
8:05 am
4311


 
The growing threat of fraud in society not only stresses the need to 
protect young people from scams. It also points to the alarming fact that 
students are exposed to the dangers these fraudsters create. It is therefore 
vital for schools to promote anti-scam awareness throughout society as well 
as equip students with the knowledge where they can report cases once they 
encounter incidence of potential fraud or scam. 
 
 
This bill seeks the protection of students against fraud through 
integration of scam prevention education in the school curriculum of senior 
high schools. It is the hope of this measure to empower the next generation 
of Filipinos with the critical thinking skills to be able to protect themselves 
and their families from exploitative scammers. 
 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly 
sought. 
 
 
 
REP. PM VARGAS 
Fifth District, Quezon City 


Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY REP. PM VARGAS 
AN ACT 
INCORPORATING SCAM PREVENTION EDUCATION IN THE SENIOR 
HIGH SCHOOL CURRICULA, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, 
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
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 “Scam Prevention 
Education Act.”  
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. – The constitution declares that it is the 
state’s policy to serve and protect the people, to prioritize education in order 
to promote patriotism and nationalism, and to recognize the vital role of 
communication and information in nation building. Towards this end, this 
Act aims to stem, if not eliminate different types of scams by inculcating in 
our youth and/or students the value of critical thinking. This will prevent 
them from falling prey to scams as they immerse themselves daily in the 
online world. 
SECTION 3. Inclusion of Scam Education in the Senior High School 
Curricula. – Scam Education shall be part of the Senior High School 
curriculum in public and private schools.  
The Department of Education (DepEd), in consultation with the Department 
of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Philippine National 
Police (PNP), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and other concerned 
agencies shall immediately formulate necessary steps and measures to 
achieve the objectives of this Section.  
SECTION 4. Appropriation. – The amount necessary for the effective 
implementation of this Act shall be charged against the appropriation of the 
4311


Department 
of 
Education 
(DepED), 
under 
the 
current 
General 
Appropriations Act. Such amount as may be necessary for its continued 
implementation shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
 
 
SECTION 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations - The DepEd, in 
consultation with the DICT, PNP and NBI among others, shall have the joint 
responsibility of adopting the implementing rules of this Act within sixty (60) 
days from its approval.  
 
SECTION 6. Non-Impairment Clause. – Nothing in this Act shall be 
construed as to diminish, impair, or repeal rights recognized, granted, or 
made available to disadvantaged, marginalized, or specific sectors under 
existing laws. 
 
SECTION 7. Separability Clause. - If any part of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not affected thereby shall 
continue to be in full force and effect. 
 
SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive 
orders, administrative orders, rules and regulations inconsistent with or 
contrary to the provisions of this Act are deemed amended, modified or 
repealed accordingly. 
 
SECTION 9. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days 
following its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) 
newspapers of general circulation. 
 
Approved,