Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Article II of the 1987 Constitution provides: 
Section 17. 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. 
Technology in schools is a central component of preparing students for the 21st 
century. Equipping schools with technology is no longer a luxury, it is a necessity.  
Technology in the classroom improves students’ mastery of basic skills, test scores, 
writing, and engagement in school. With these gains come decreases in dropout 
rates and decreases in attendance and discipline problems. 
Not enough students have access to computers, distance learning, and 
telecommunications technologies. In fact, many public schools do not have any 
computers, while few have older models that do not have the power to perform 
advanced functions, such as those involving video and the Internet. 
The purpose of this bill is to establish educational technology clearinghouses to 
facilitate the donation of surplus equipment and technology to schools and libraries 
from governmental agencies, businesses, and other private entities. 
In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. 
October 20, 2022
1:53 pm
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY CLEARINGHOUSES 
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 the “Educational Technology 
Clearinghouse Act.” 
SECTION 2. Purpose. – It is the purpose of this Act to authorize a program to support 
regional educational technology clearinghouses that facilitate the donation of surplus 
equipment and technology to schools and libraries from governmental agencies, 
businesses, and other private entities. 
SECTION 3. Authority. – The Secretary of Education shall make grants to or enter 
into contracts with regional public or private nonprofit entities for the purpose of 
supporting a system of regional educational technology clearinghouses. 
In awarding the grants or contract, the Secretary shall ensure that each geographic 
region of the country is served by such an entity. 
SECTION 4. Requirements. –  Each entity receiving a grant or contract under this 
Act shall— 
(A) In cooperation with regional program to support a clearinghouse that facilitates 
the transfer of surplus equipment and technology to schools and libraries from 
governmental agencies, businesses, and other private entities; 
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(B) Disseminate information to regional educational agencies about the availability 
and procurement of the equipment and technology through the clearinghouse;  
(C) Disseminate information to the public about activities assisted under this Act, 
including information about the donations being accepted by the clearinghouse;  
(D) Have in place a process or ensuring that surplus equipment and technology is 
distributed in a fair and equitable manner, with school districts with the greatest 
need for such equipment and technology receiving priority for donations under 
this Act;  
(E) Provide technical assistance to a school or library to ensure the equipment and 
technology being donated is consistent with the short-term and long-term 
educational technology plans for the school or library, respectively;  
(F) Use finds under this Act to upgrade equipment or technology only if the entity 
determines such upgrading meets the short-term and long-term educational plan 
of the school or library receiving the equipment or technology; and  
(G) Ensure that the transfer of equipment and technology does not violate copyright, 
patents, or trademark laws. 
 
SECTION 5. Authorization of Appropriations. – There are authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this Act such ums as may be necessary for each fiscal year 
to carry out the provisions of this Act. 
 
SECTION 6. Separability Clause. – If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall 
remain valid and subsisting.   
 
SECTION 8. 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 9. Effectivity Clause. –  This Act shall take effect fifteen days (15) days 
after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
 
Approved,