Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Constitution Hills, Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

4
House Bill No..

Introduced by: REPRESENTATIVE ERIC L. OLIVAREZ

EXPLANATORY NOTE

With the dawn of computer technology, information
communication technology has impacted a great number of our
people, both positively and negatively; and has transformed not
only how we do business but also on how we transmit knowledge
and facilitate learning for the new generation.

Two decades ago, computer technology and use of
computers in education is alien in our classrooms, and teachers
mostly use blackboard and paper materials for teaching aids.
Even though the effectivity of the traditional teaching aids are
beyond question as shown by numerous studies and long
experience, however new technologies such as computer
technology and the Internet open new possibilities in teaching
strategies and methodologies.

Studies show that the use of computers in school education
improves performance of pupils or students and also provides
access to more information for learners and also for the teachers.
It improves learners’ retention of subject matter through the use
audio-visual presentation. Students learn faster and it improves
students’ creativity. It widens access to more information
through stored data and in the Internet.

Computers also provide effective classrooms. Teachers can
create more effective and creative teaching materials and


teaching aids that will help improve the learning experience of
pupils and/or students. With the increasing number of students
per classroom and student -teacher ratio, computer use can help
teachers cope up without sacrificing the expected learning
outcomes.

With limited classrooms, schools can opt to offer education
online through the use of computer, internet and mobile smart
phones. Since government are now mandated to provide free wifi
access in government and public areas and with the high
percentage of smart phone use in the country, specifically in the
urban centers such as Metro Manila, teachers and students can
use the Internet as virtual classroom or discussion board and
webinar. These may serve as an alternative classroom or an
extension of classroom discussions.

Computer helps in research work of students and teachers.
Students and teachers can use e-books and the Internet in their
research work as sources of information and materials. It
facilitates easier and more convenient exchange of information
and materials through the Internet and cloud computing and
other portable data storage.

Computer boosts education to the global platform. The
Internet is the gateway and highway of students and teachers to
the global platform. A student can participate or listen to a
seminar or forum happening across the globe or can watch and
listen to a lecture done a year ago with almost the same outcome
as to a student attending the said seminar. Significant
intellectual outputs by students and/or teachers can be critiqued
by their peers from different countries and societies thereby
improving the intellectual production.

Computer and computer technology has impacted our lives
and society, and is used not only as a personal tool but moreover
as a business tool. We are one of the biggest provider of business
processing and it has become a major contributor to our economy
and labor market. With the use of computer and computer


technology in education, we are preparing our young people to
become more adept in computer and computer technology by
educating them through the use of computer. It is learning by
doing.

With the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is
being sought.

ew COW,
ERIC L. OLIVAREZ


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

4527
House Bill No.

Introduced by: REPRESENTATIVE ERIC L. OLIVAREZ

AN ACT REQUIRING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF COMPUTER
LABORATORY IN ALL PUBLIC ELEMENTARY AND
SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Computer
and Internet Literacy for Public School Act.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared a policy of
the State to give priority to promote the use of computer
technology and literacy in basic education, especially in public
schools.

The State recognizes the value of computer technology and
access to the Internet in enhancing and facilitating learning and
education of pupils and students in basic education. In line with
this, the State shall promote computer education and literacy,
and provide access to computers and the Internet by learners
and teachers in basic education.

SEC. 3. Objectives. - This Act aims to:

a. Improve computer literacy and the use of computer
technology in education in the country;

b. Provide access to computer use and the Internet in basic
education, both in elementary and high school;


c. Teach the students the effective use and operation of
computers and the Internet;

d. To train teachers the use of computer and the Internet so
that they will be more effective in teaching; and,

e. Improve computer education in basic education as a

preparation for higher learning in computer science and
technology, and other emerging sciences and
technologies.

SEC. 4. Every public elementary and high school in the country
shall have at least one room that shall be used as a computer
laboratory and which in turn shall be used in providing computer
and internet literacy instruction to pupils and/or students.

SEC. 5. The Department of Education (DepEd) is mandated to
include in the curriculum of all public elementary schools
computer and internet literacy so that all graduating elementary
pupils shall have received basic computer and internet literacy
instruction.

SEC. 6. Implementation. - The Department of Education
(DepEd), in collaboration with the Department of Information and
Technology (DICT) shall formulate the pertinent rules and
regulations necessary to implement this Act.

SEC. 7. Appropriations. ~ The amount necessary to cover the
initial implementation of this Act shall be taken from the current
year’s appropriation of the DepEd and DICT. Thereafter, such
sums as may be necessary for the continued implementation of
this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations
Act.

SEC. 8. Separability Clause. - If for any reason, any provision
or part hereof, is held invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder
of the law or provision not otherwise affected shall remain valid
and subsisting.

SEC. 9. Repealing Clause. - All other laws, decrees, executive
orders, rules and regulations, issuances or parts thereof


inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or amended
accordingly.

SEC. 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a national
newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,