ZEpRESES
fe eS \

[i RECEIVED “\
BATE: vans y wee |)
Lap

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE:
Quezon City, Metro Manila

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
I Regular Session

453

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representatives JEFFREY SORIANO, ERIC G. YAP, PAOLO Z.
DUTERTE, EDVIC G. YAP, JOCELYN P. TULFO, and RALPH TULFO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Article II, Section 17 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution provides that the state “shall
give priority to education, science and technology, arts, culture and sports to foster
patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress, and promote total human

liberation and development.”

The proliferation of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to take a toll on our
educational system, showcasing the imminent need for accessibility and availability
of alternative modes of learning to at least alleviate the repercussions of the pandemic
not only in terms of the quality of our educational system but also to the well-being of
our students and teachers. In particular, the distance learning has been incorporated
as the primary mode of learning during the pandemic. From there, we could infer that
most of our students, as well as teachers, have already struggle with such mode of
learning due to lack of resources. Some even decided not to pursue their given the

additional barriers they cannot easily overcome.

To eradicate these hindrances in our educational system, this bill seeks to establish at
least one E-Learning Center in every municipality and city in the country. It shall serve
as a venue wherein people from all walks of like can access information and
communication technologies for learning. This shall benefit not just the youth, but also

adults who seek to gain further knowledge and develop new skills.


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

JEFFREY SORIANO. PAOLO Z DUTERTE
JOCELYN P. TULFO

RALPH TULFO



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
1 Regular Session

453

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representatives JEFFREY SORIANO, ERIC G. YAP, PAOLO Z.
DUTERTE, EDVIC G. YAP, JOCELYN P. TULFO, and RALPH TULFO

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN E-LEARNING CENTER IN
EVERY CITY AND MUNICIPALITY, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as “E-Learning Center Act
of 2020.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared policy of the State to
provide institutional mechanisms for education to be made available and accessible
for the Filipino people, without discrimination on the basis of age, sex, ethnicity,
culture, religion, or ability.

SEC. 3. Establishment of E-Learning Centers. - There shall be established at
Teast one (1) e-learning center in every city and municipality in the Philippines;
Provided, That additional e-learning centers shall be established such that there is one
c-Icarning center per 50,000 persons in every city and every municipality with a
population of more than 100,000 persons; Provided, further, That where e-learning
centers already exist, its upgrading shall be undertaken, while existing public libraries
and reading centers shall be upgraded into an e-learning center.

SEC. 4, Functions of E-Learning Centers - It shall make available:
a. Printed materials, such as books, journals, newspapers, magazines, posters,

maps, and charts;
b. Audio-visual aids or media, such as film, television, and radio;


7

c. Digital devices, such as desktop or portable computers and electronic
blackboards, equipped with appropriate software and stable Internet
connection to access online courses, e-books, and other online resources, as
well as enable web conferencing;

dl. a space provided with stable and secure wi-fi connection;

¢. avenue for alternative learning classes, training, presentations exhibitions,
lectures, seminars, workshops, debates, and other learning activities;

SEC. 5. Implementing Agencies. - The Department of Education (DepEd), in
coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways, shall undertake
the construction of e-learning centers or the repair and rehabilitation of existing e-
learning centers according to mutually agreed specifications, criteria and details;
Provided, That the design of the e-learning center shall ensure a conducive learning
environment, as well as provide sufficient space for educational materials, equipment,
and administrative services.

The National Library of the Philippines shall provide the standard set of
relevant printed and audio-visual materials and shall digitize its catalog and
collections to provide free and full offsite access

‘The Department of Information and Communication Technology shall provide
the necessary infrastructure to ensure reliable Internet connection and maximize
digital technology in e-learning centers. DepEd and DICT shall jointly develop digital
educational materials for use in e-learning centers, as well as mobile applications and
similar software that will enable remote access to CLC materials and other sources of

information,

SEC. 6. Role of Local Government Units, - Cities and municipalities shall
provide the site for e-learning centers and shall undertake its operation and
maintenance. Local government units (LGUs) may allocate such funds necessary for
the operation and maintenance of e-learning centers from the Special Education Fund,

upon approval and authorization of the Local School Board.

SEC. 7. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of
this Act shall be charged against the current year’s appropriations of the
implementing agencies and shall be thereafter included in the annual General
Appropriations Act.

SEC. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from the
approval of this Act, the Department of Education, in coordination with the National



=

Library of the Philippines, Department of Information and Communication
Technology, Department of Interior and Local Government, and other concerned
government agencies and civil society, organizations, shall formulate and issue the
necessary guidelines to effectively implement the provisions of this Act. The
implementing rules and regulations shall take effect thirty (30) days after its
publication in a national newspaper of general circulation.

SEC. 9. Separability Clause. —If any provision or part thereof is held invalid
or unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of other
provisions hereof.

SEC. 10. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, orders and issuances or
portions thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, are hereby

repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SEC. 11. Effectivity Clause. —This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,