SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S. B. 297 
Introduced by SENATOR CYNTHIA VIL:L:AR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
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The Philippines, to be globally competitive, needs to modernize its information 
technology and comprehensively implement a computer literacy education program in 
both the elementary and high school levels. The private education sector has long been 
introducing its student population to computers, but the public schools, which educate 
the majority of our young people, remain lagging behind. 
Almost always, the culprit is lack of funds to pursue and implement 
modernization measures in the educational system. Every year, general appropriations 
for the Department of Education increase, but still lack, in funds for the basics -
construction of school buildings, increase in the number of teacher's trainings, printing 
and/or purchase of new textbooks, among others. Computer literacy education is not a 
top priority. With the country and the rest of the world reeling to information Age, a 
concrete and decisive step should be done to uplift the quality of our public education to 
international standards. 
This bill proposes to make it mandatory for all public schools in the country to 
have a comprehensive education program, in all levels. This bill likewise mandates 
sufficient funding for the program, as the same shall be included in the General 
Appropriations Act. With this, it is expected that our public schools will produce quality 
and computer-literate graduates. It is the call of the times. Our youth need not lag 
behind their counterparts in the private schools, even more those from other countries 
and give them the opportunity to possess a high literacy level in this era of information 
technology. 
In view thereof, approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
/l/L'I!I 
C~~~I~ i VILLAR 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S. B. 297 
Introduced by SENATOR CYNTHIA VILLAR 
AN ACT 
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JUL -2 A9 :46 
CREATING A SPECIAL COMPUTER LITERACY AND INFORMATION 
TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION PROGRAM FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS, AND FOR 
OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled: 
1 
Section 1. Creation of Special Computer Literacy and Information 
2 
Technology Education Program for Public Schools. - There is hereby created a 
3 
Special Computer Literacy Education Program for Public Schools, including state 
4 
colleges and universities hereafter referred to as the Special Program, to promote a 
5 
comprehensive computer literacy education in public schools, and utilize this knowledge 
6 
as an effective instrument for the advancement of a globally competitive citizenry 
7 
through computer technology. 
8 
9 
Section 2. Mandatory in Primary and Secondary School Curricula. - It shall 
10 
be mandatory for all primary and secondary schools to integrate computer education in 
11 
their curricula. 
12 
13 
Section 3. Computer Laboratory in State Colleges and Universities. - There 
14 
shall be a computer laboratory in each state college and university under the Special 
15 
Program. 
16 
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Section 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations. -
The Department of 
18 
Education, Commission on Higher Education and the Department of Science and 
19 
Technology, in coordination with the Department of Budget and Management shall 
20 
issue guidelines, rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out the purpose of 
21 
this Act within one hundred twenty (120) days upon effectivity. 
22 
23 
Section 5. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the Special 
24 
program shall be included in the General Appropriations Act of the year following its 
25 
enactment into law and thereafter. 
26 
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Section 6. Annual Report. - The Secretary of Education shall submit within 
28 
fifteen (15) days from the opening of the regular session of Congress to the President of 
29 
the Philippines, to the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of 
30 
Representatives, and to the Chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means of Both 
31 
Houses of Congress, an annual report which shall include an account of the programs, 
32 
projects and detailed expenses undertaken pursuant to this Act. 
1 


1 
Section 7. Separability Clause. - I the event any portion or provision of this Act 
2 
is declared unconstitutional, the remainder or any provisions not affected thereby shall 
3 
remain in force and effect. 
4 
5 
Section 8. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after 
6 
its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
7 
8 
Approved. 
2