EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
S. No.
SENATE
584
Ollif* ittiji &■
*19 JUL 17 P6 --05
K tC E iiv: y  B ;
_ _ _
Introduced by Senator Ralph G. Recto
AN ACT
STRENGTHENING 
THE 
UTILIZATION 
OF 
INFORMATION 
AND 
COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT) IN ALL PUBLIC ELEMENTARY 
SCHOOLS AND HIGH SCHOOLS PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR 
OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The advent of the internet can be likened to the invention of Guttenberg's 
printing press. Similar to how the printing press ushered in the human race from the 
Dark Ages to the New Age, the internet is ushering humankind into a world 
unhampered by borders. Modern Information and Communication Technologies 
(ICT) such as Wi-Fi, mobile phones, computers, and laptops allow easier and faster 
access to timely information which is necessary in a rapidly globalizing and 
competitive world.
"(ICTs) greatly facilitate the acquisition and absorption o f knowledge, 
offering developing countries unprecedented opportunities to enhance 
educational systems, improve policy formulation and execution, and 
widen the range o f opportunities for business and the poor. One o f the 
greatest hardships endured by the poor, and by many others who live 
in the poorest countries is their sense o f isolation. The new


communication technologies promise to reduce that sense o f isolation, 
and to open access to knowledge in ways unimaginable not long ago."
- 
World 
Bank 
(1998), 
The 
World 
Development Report quoted in Blurton,
C, New Directions o f ICT -  Use in 
Education
In line with the goals set forth in the country's K to 12 Program, particularly 
for the secondary level, the utilization of modern technology would better equip 
students with faculties necessary in preparation for tertiary education and for the 
increasingly competitive labor market.
As of School Year 2016-2017, the number of students enrolled in the 
country's 38,803 elementary public schools was at 12.9 million, while students 
enrolled in the 11,680 elementary private schools was at 1.2M1. Meanwhile, 
enrollment in the country's 8,282 secondary public schools was at 6.2 million, and 
for the 5,935 secondary private schools it was at 1.3 million2. Many of the private 
schools in the country have long since supplemented classroom learning with ICT 
such as the use of computers and multimedia projectors for a more effective and 
efficient learning experience. They have also incorporated computer and internet 
education in their curricula while public schools have to wrestle with dated 
computers that are not even commensurate to the number of students enrolled in 
public schools.
Computer and internet literacy is hard currency in most industries and in 
today's labor market. Students who do not have access to computers and to the 
internet could potentially have slim chances of securing a job as opposed to students
1 Department of Education Basic Education Fact Sheet
2 Ibid.


in most private schools who have had experience with ICT and training in search, 
retrieval and processing of information sourced from the internet.
The internet and computer use are part and parcel of globalization where the 
youth is undoubtedly at the forefront. The burgeoning youth population of the 
country grapple with the ever increasing qualifications of landing a job and limiting 
them from fully harnessing the capabilities that ICT offers will surely leave them 
lagging behind in personal growth and in the labor market.
With a rapidly digitizing world, it is imperative that traditional learning 
methods be supplemented with ICT to allow more efficient learning in classrooms. 
Equipping public schools with computers and internet is a challenge that does not 
just mean being at par with counterparts in private schools—but it is about giving 
students in public secondary schools equal opportunity to make use of ICT, which is 
an absolute need in today's society. Providing public schools with ICT is not the sole 
solution to problems of unemployment, but it is a definite step to ensuring that the 
Filipino youth is competitive in the rapidly changing world characterized by the 
introduction of new technologies that lead to a "knowledge-based economy" where 
education drives growth, increases productivity, and creates jobs.
In light of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
/FMPC


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
S. No.
SENATE
594
*19 JUL 17 P6 :06
TtECEivrmrr
Introduced by Senator Ralph G. Recto
AN ACT
STRENGTHENING 
THE 
UTILIZATION 
OF 
INFORMATION 
AND 
COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT) IN ALL PUBLIC ELEMENTARY 
SCHOOLS AND HIGH SCHOOLS PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR 
OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House o f Representatives o f the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Short Tide. -T h is Act shall be known as the "ICT in Education Act
2 
of 2019".
3 
Sec. 2. Declaration o f Policy and Objectives. -  It shall be the policy of the
4 
State to provide quality education that is accessible to all citizens. Furthermore, the
5 
State shall also establish and maintain an education system that is relevant to the
6 
needs of society.
7 
This Act shall attain the following objectives:
8 
a. Provide public schools with up-to-date computer facilities including a
9 
stable wireless network and equipment necessary for easier access to
10 
information;
11 
b. Train educators to supplement traditional classroom 
learning with
12 
Information and Communication Technology (ICT);
13 
c. Replace out-dated textbooks with up-to-date electronic books; and
14 
d. Have an online shared curriculum among public schools to ensure that
15 
students even in rural areas will be given the same quality of education.


1 
Sec. 3. IC T in Public Elementary Schools and High Schools. -  
The
2 
Department of Education (DepEd) shall use appropriate and effective ICT in public
3 
schools to broaden access to basic education, improve the quality of learning,
4 
enhance 
the 
quality 
of teaching, 
and 
improve 
educational 
planning 
and
5 
management.
6 
Sec. 4. Physical and Technological Infrastructure. -  Within a period of six (6)
7 
years, all public schools shall establish at least one (1) Computer Center with a
8 
stable internet connection that will provide and ensure the access of students to the
9 
internet. The schools shall avail of the services of existing commercial internet
10 
providers and shall establish and maintain a computer facility system which should
11 
have, at the minimum, the following equipment:
12 
A. Desktop Personal Computer (PC);
13 
B. Wireless Broadband Router;
14 
C. Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS);
15 
D. Computer Printer; and
16 
E. Multimedia Projector.
17 
The number of computer units for the Computer Center of each public school
18 
will be based on the standards provided for by the DepEd in consultation with the
19 
Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and with each
20 
respective public school.
21 
Sec. 5. Training for Educators and Maintenance o f ICT. -  
The Regional
22 
Offices of the DepEd and the DICT shall carry out training for educators in public
23 
schools to integrate ICT in classroom learning, to instill in educators the professional
24 
and educational benefits of investment in ICT, and to allow educators to have
25 
mastery of sourcing out appropriate resources for education.
26 
The aforementioned agencies shall monitor the use and upkeep of the ICT
27 
introduced in public schools.
28 
Sec. 6. Utilization o f ICT in Classroom Learning and in Computer Centers. -
29 
Educators in public schools shall make full use of ICT as presentation tools to
30 
complement traditional teaching methods. Presentation tools may include, but shall


1 
not be limited to, multimedia projectors, television and guided internet surfing where
2 
the educator and the students will be able to view internet sites simultaneously.
3 
Computer Centers in public schools should be made available to students for
4 
training on computer and internet use, and for research purposes.
5 
Sec. 7. Computerization o f Administrative Systems. -  The DepEd with the
6 
technical assistance of the DICT shall develop an ICT-based administrative system
7 
that will enhance organizational communication; facilitate gathering, analysis,
8 
dissemination, and maintenance of educational statistics; and streamline office
9 
procedures.
10 
Sec. 
8. Appropriations. 
-  The amount necessary for the immediate
11 
implementation of the provisions of this Act is hereby authorized to be appropriated
12 
out of any funds in the National Treasury not otherwise appropriated. Thereafter,
13 
funds for its implementation shall be included in the regular appropriations of the
14 
Department of Education.
15 
Sec. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations -  The DepEd and the DICT shall,
16 
within thirty (30) days from the effectivity of this Act, issue the necessary rules and
17 
regulations for its effective implementation.
18 
Sec. 10. Separability Clause. 
-  In the event that any provision of this Act is
19 
declared unconstitutional, the validity of the other provisions shall not be affected by
20 
such declaration.
21 
Sec. 11. Repealing Clause. -  All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations,
22 
or portions thereof, inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified
23 
accordingly.
24 
Sec. 12. Effectivity. -  This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its
25 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation or in the Official
26 
Gazette.
Approved,