FIFTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
FIRST REGULAR SESSION )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

2567

House Bill No.
EXPLANATORY NOTE

Section 4(1) of Article XIV of the Constitution provides that the State
recognizes the complementary roles of public and private institutions in the
educational system and shall exercise reasonable supervision and regulation of all
educational institutions. In the exercise of this supervision, the State can regulate the
use of technologies and gadgets by the students which have adverse effects on their
education.

The bringing in and use by the students of cellular phones in elementary and
high schools is a very common practice now. However this practice of bringing
cellphones disrupt learning. Even though schools require that phones be turned off
during school hours, such a rule is difficult to enforce. Students often forget to turn
off their phones in class. When a phone rings in class, the entire classroom is
disrupted. Even if set to silent, cell phones can still cause distraction. Cell phones
are now so small that students can use them surreptitiously in class. Cellphones may
also be used by the students in cheating during exams and taking inappropriate
photos. Further, students have been known to use cell phones to call in bomb threats
to schools, to avoid or condense class time. Hence, this bill seeks to ban the bringing
in and use of cellphones by students in all public and private elementary and high
schools.

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

RUFUS B. Ri IGUEZ

swan JR.


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
FIRST REGULAR SESSION )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

House Bill No,_ 2567

AN ACT
BANNING THE BRINGING IN AND USE OF CELLULAR PHONES BY STUDENTS
IN ALL PUBLIC AND PRIVATE ELEMENTARY AND HIGH SCHOOLS

SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. — \t is hereby declared to be the policy
of the State to regulate the bringing in and use of cellular phones by students in all
public and private elementary and high schools.

SECTION 2. Ban on Bringing in and Use of Cellular. — Students in all
public and private elementary and high schools are not allowed to bring nor use
cellular phones in school.

SECTION 3. Rules and Regulations. — The Secretary of the Department of
Education shall promulgate the rules and regulations for the effective enforcement of
the provisions of this Act and shall cause the same to be published within fifteen days
from promulgation, in three newspapers of general circulation in the Philippines and
shall take effect as such, fifteen days after their publication.

SECTION 4. Separability Clause. — The provisions of this Act are hereby
declared to be separable, and in the event any part, section or provision of this Act is
held invalid or unconstitutional, no other part, section or provision thereof shall be
affected thereby.

SECTION 5. Repealing Clause. — All laws, parts of laws, executive orders,
ordinances, rules and regulations which are inconsistent with the provisions of this
Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.


SECTION 6. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following
the completion of its publication in the Official Gazette or in a national newspaper of
general circulation in the Philippines.

Approved.