Republic of the Philippines.
HOUSE OF THE REPRESENTATIVES

Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO.47E.2

Introduced by: HONORABLE JUAN EDGARDO M. ANGARA

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The advantages of the use of information technology in schools cannot be
overemphasized. With more and more information, including instruction, available on the
Internet, and new technologies making computers increasingly portable, schools are presented
with many new opportunities for enhancing and supplementing classroom instruction through
technology. However, schools are currently faced with the challenge of making sure that all
students have easy access to the benefits of this technology.

With this, the government should exert every effort to make these benefits available to
students. One way of ensuring this is making Intemet available to school children, especialty in
far-flung areas. This bill is thus proposing to establish broadband connection’ in all public
schools across the country. This is with the end view of accelerating learning for all students by
providing wider means of accessing the Internet, and with it, the vast and limitless information it
offers for the advancement of education

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

JUAN RDO M. ANGARA
Representative
Lone District of Aurora


Repubtic of the Philippines:
HOUSE OF THE REPRESENTATIVES

Quezon City
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 47.62 -

Introduced by: HONORABLE JUAN EDGARDO M. ANGARA

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF BROADBAND INFRASTRUCTURE IN ALL
PUBLIC SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY

Ge 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 “Schoot Broadband Act of
2011."

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. It is the policy of the State to protect and promote
the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels and shall take appropriate steps to make
such education accessible to all

SECTION 3, Installation of Broadband Technology in All Public Schools. In
frecognition of the vital role that information and technology play in promoting access to quality
education, all public schools throughout the country shall be equipped with broadband
technology. This is in furtherance of the state's commitment to support and enhance the
leaming opportunities of students. By bringing in broadband technologies to our educational
institutions, this would enable students easy and fast access to the vast information available on
the Intemet, improve their social and educational connection with other schools, and enhance
their awareness and knowledge on world developments, among others.

SECTION 4. Distribution of Broadband Techonology. The installation of broadband
technology shall be based on the needs of the school and the existing facilities in a given local
govemment unit, Broadband technology shail first be provided to the public schools with the
highest number of enrolment in all capital towns and key cities throughout the country. No
broadband facility shall be installed in another school in the same municipality unless and until
all the biggest public schools in all capital towns and key cities across the country shall have
been installed with at least one broadband technology,

SECTION 5. Implementation. The Department of Education (DepEd), in coordination
with the Commission on Communications and Information Technology (CICT), shall be
responsible for the administration and monitoring of the implementation of the provisions of this
act, and shall promulgate the necessary implementing rules and regulations within thirty (30)
days from its effectivity. Provided, that given limitations in resources, implementation shall be
done in tranches, within a ten-year period upon effectivity. Provided, further, that priority shall
be given to schools offering both elementary and high school education.

SECTION 6. Monitoring Progress and implementation, The DepEd, in coordination
with the CICT, shall submit to Congress regular reports on the progress of the implementation of


this Act. These reports shall be submitted annually or as determined in the implementing rules
and regulations,

SECTION 7. Appropriations. To carry out the provisions of this Act, such sum as may
be necessary is hereby authorized to be appropriated from the National Treasury. Thereafter,
the sum necessary for the continuous operation of this Act shall be included in the annual
appropriation of the Department of Education.

SECTION 8, Separability Clause. If any provision, or part hereof, is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the remainder of the Jaw or the provision shall remain valid and subsisting,

SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent with,
the provision of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly.

SECTION 10. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifieen (15) days after its
publication in at least two (2} newspaper of general circulation.