H
NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 7.Q
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*22 JUL-7 P2:08
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Introduced by Senator Aquilino MKokoM Pimentel III
AN ACT
MANDATING AGE-APPROPRIATE COMPUTER 
PROGRAMMING SUBJECTS IN THE CURRICULUM OF 
THE ENHANCED BASIC EDUCATION PROGRAM (K-12), 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
For the Filipino Nation to compete and thrive in the highly 
scientific world and high-tech marketplace of the 21st century, our 
country must be able to keep itself abreast with the latest developments 
in science.
We must expose our students as early as possible to science 
subjects and make it possible for them to love science and live 
scientifically. One field of science which we need to expose our 
students to and prepare them to compete in is computer science, 
particularly the subject of computer programming.
This bill seeks to integrate the study of computer programming 
(which is broader than computer coding) in the enhanced basic 
education curriculum. Since this is a highly complex subject matter, we 
will do this slowly, strategically, and in an age-appropriate manner, and 
it is suggested that we begin this at the Grade 4 level.


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By introducing the fundamentals of computer programming to 
our students, as early as possible and in an age-appropriate manner, we 
hope to make eomputer programming and coding second nature to 
them as they grow up. In so doing, we are effectively equipping them 
with the proper tools needed to make them capable digital-age eitizens 
and also preparing them to be globally competitive.
Early exposure of our students to science, computer science, and 
computer programming can only be beneficial to our country. Hence, 
the immediate passage of this measure is earnestly requested.
AQUILINO ttKDKOM PIMENTEL III


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 79
•22 JUL-7 P2«8
msmsm
Introduced by Senator Aquilino ”Kokof’ Pimentel III
AN ACT
MANDATING AGE-APPROPRIATE COMPUTER PROGRAMMING 
SUBJECTS IN THE CURRICULUM OF THE ENHANCED BASIC 
EDUCATION PROGRAM (K-12), APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the ''Philippine
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Computer Programming Education Act.M
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SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to give priority
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to education, and science and technology, in order to accelerate social progress
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and promote total human liberation and development. The education to be
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provided to the Filipino People must be complete, adequate, and relevant to the
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needs of the people and society.
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Likewise, it is hereby declared the policy of the State to develop a
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functional basic education system that will keep Filipino students informed and
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up-to-date with the latest developments in the field of science, particularly
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computer science, in order to make our basic education students and graduates
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better prepared to live in, work, be productive and compete in a highly scientific
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modern global society.


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SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - For the purposes of this Act, the following 
terms shall be defined as follows;
(a) "Computer” - a programmable electronic machine or device that 
responds to specified instructions and can execute a list of instructions 
known as a program. It shall include all the hardware or physical parts 
attached to the computer machine or device, and the software or programs 
used therewith.
(b) "Computer Programming" - the process of using a language that a 
computer can understand in order to get it to perform various tasks. Its 
objective is to come up with an executable computer program resulting in 
a fully ready-to-use application.
SEC. A. Mandatory Age-Appropriate Computer Programming Subjects in 
the Enhanced Basic Education Curriculum. - It is hereby mandated that age- 
appropriate computer programming subjects shall be an integral and essential 
part of the Department of Education’s (DepEd) K to 12 Basic Education 
Curriculum beginning at Grade 4.
Age-appropriate computer programming shall be taught from Grades 4 to 
12 as a separate subject with sufficient time allotment as would enable the 
students to appreciate the importance of computer programming in 
contemporary life and ensure that the foundational computer programming skills 
needed for higher level education are developed in the students as soon as 
practicable.
SEC. 5. Role of the DepEd. - The DepEd, in coordination with the 
Curriculum Consultative Committee created under Republic Act No. 10533, 
otherwise known as the “Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013”, shall 
formulate the necessary refinements in the Basic Education Curriculum to 
accommodate the age-appropriate computer programming subjects mandated by 
this Act. The appropriate skills to be developed per grade level must be clearly 
defined and identified under this revised curriculum.


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The DepEd, in collaboration with relevant partners in government, 
academe, industry, and non-governmental organizations, shall conduct the 
necessary teacher education and training programs and provide the schools with 
the required equipment for the proper and effective implementation of this Act.
SEC. 6. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the initial 
implementation of this Act shall be sourced from the current appropriations of 
the DepEd. Thereafter, the amount necessary for its continuous and effective 
implementation shall be provided in the annual General Appropriations Act.
SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days 
from the effectivity of this Act, the DepEd, in consultation with relevant 
stakeholders, shall promulgate the necessary implementing rules and regulations 
for the effective implementation of this Act.
SEC. 8. Separability Clause. - Should any provision or part of this Act be 
declared unconstitutional or invalid, the otlier provisions and parts hereof, 
insofar as they are separable from the invalid ones, shall remain in full force and 
effect.
SEC. 9. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, issuances, rules 
and regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby 
repealed or modified accordingly.
SEC. 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Ojficial Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general 
circulation.
Approved,