NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
^T-enate
of ii;c i%-.'rrptnrp
'22 JUL25 P2:19
SENATE
S. No. 87 j
Introduced by Senator Grace Poe
AN ACT
TO MODERNIZE ALL PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND STATE COLLEGES AND 
UNIVERSITIES IN THE PHILIPPINES, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, 
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
In recent years, the national government has gradually embraced information 
and communications technology (ICT) as a tool for good governance and inclusive 
growth. So far, the pinnacle of these efforts was the establishment of the 
Department of Information and Communications Technology as established under 
Republic Act No. 10844.
However, ICT may still be further Integrated throughout all levels of 
government. The present measure proposes to integrate ICT in education, 
specifically in the modernization of public schools and state universities and colleges 
(SUCs) in the country. If enacted, this measure shall provide all public schools and 
sues with the following:
a) Ten (10) computers with open source software;
b) A well-equipped library with an additional two (2) computers;
c) A multimedia classroom with one (1) interactive whiteboard and one (1) 
LCD projector and screen;
d) One laptop for each teacher;
e) Internet connectivity.


f) A Steady supply of electricity;
The measure also seeks to create a coordinating committee which will 
implement the Act over a twenty (20) year period. The Act shall be operationalized 
in a twenty (20) year "Public School and SUC Modernization Plan" the standards for 
all hardware and software to be procured and maintained and the operational plans 
and budgetary requirements of the member agencies in implementing the Act.
Speedy approval of this measure is eagerly sought.
GRACE POE


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
SEN
, i?enate
ol t!jp
•22 JUL25 P2:19
s.n„nWi
Introduced by Senator Grace Poe
AN ACT
TO MODERNIZE ALL PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND STATE COLLEGES AND 
UNIVERSITIES IN THE PHILIPPINES, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, 
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled.
CHAPTER I
GENERAL PROVISIONS
1 
Section 1. Short Title. - This act shall be known as the "Public School and
2 
State University and College Modernization Act of 2022".
3 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State shall protect and promote the right
4 
of all citizens to quality education at all levels, and shall take appropriate steps to
5 
make such education accessible to all. As such, the State embraces the role of
6 
information and communications technology In Improving the learning process and
7 
shall strive to mainstream its provision and use in all public schools and state
8 
universities and colleges.
9 
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this act:
10 
a) Committee refers to the Coordinating Committee established under this
11 
Act;
12 
b) Information and Communications Technology or /CT refers to the totality
13 
of electronic means to access, create, collect, store, process, receive,
14 
transmit, present and disseminate information;


1 
c) Modernization Program refers to the Public School and SUC Modernization
2 
Program created under this Act;
3 
d) Pubiic Schoois to all public elementary and secondary schools in the
4 
country; and
5 
e) 56Crefers to all State Universities and Colleges in the country.
6 
Sec. 4. Pubiic Schooi and SUC Modernization Program. - There is hereby
7 
created a ''Public School and State University and College Modernization Program"
8 
hereafter referred to as "the Program". The Program shall have the following
9 
objectives:
10 
a) To provide up to date ICT hardware and software to all public schools and
11 
state universities;
12 
b) To ensure that the provision of ICT hardware and software is cost
13 
effective;
14 
c) To mainstream the use of ICT as a tool in the delivery of basic and higher
15 
education;
16 
d) To set standards for the introduction, utilization and maintenance of ICT in
17 
public schools and state universities and colleges;
18 
e) To ensure that public school teachers are adequately trained in using ICT
19 
in the learning process;
20 
f) To ensure that students of public schools and state universities and
21 
colleges are aware of and capable of using ICT.
22 
Chapter II
23 
Program Components
24 
Sec. 5. Computerization Program. - At least one computer laboratory with a
25 
minimum of ten (10) computers shall be established in all public schools and SUCs
26 
nationwide. The software need for the operation of this system shall be open source
27 
and shall be developed by the Department of Information and Communications
28 
Technology (DICT). The DICT shall also ensure that all hardware procured under
29 
this Act are well-maintained
30 
Sec. 6. One Teacher One Laptop. - Each teacher shall be provided with one
31 
(1) laptop which shall have access to the central server of each school. Teachers


1 
using their laptops shall be encouraged to use the available educational software
2 
and to develop and share their own educational modules.
3 
Sec. 7. Educational Software. - The concerned members of the Committee
4 
shall develop educational software for the use of students and teachers alike. The
5 
DICT shall ensure that all educational software shall is open source.
6 
Sec. 8. Upgrading of Libraries. - A well-equipped library shall be established
7 
in every public elementary and secondary high school. It shall contain at least 5
8 
computers which shall be connected to the central server in each school
9 
Sec. 9. Multimedia Classroom. - Each public school and SUC shall be provided
10 
with a multimedia classroom package composed of one (1) interactive whiteboard
11 
and one (1) LCD projector and screen.
12 
Sec. 10. School Electrification Program. - within one (1) year from the
13 
effectivity of this Act, Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher
14 
Education (CHED) and Department of Energy (DOE) shall conduct a comprehensive
15 
inventory of public schools and SUCs which do not have access to electricity.
16 
Thereafter, the DOE shall ensure that all public schools and SUCs have access to
17 
electricity. Provided, that public schools and SUCs which are far from the
18 
transmission grid shall be included under the missionary electrification program of
19 
the National Power Corporation as established under Republic Act No. 9136,
20 
otherwise known as the "Electric Power Industry Reform Act of2001".
21 
Sec. 11. Internet Connectivity. - The DepEd, CHED and DICT, in coordination
22 
with private Internet providers, shall ensure that all public schools and SUCs shall be
23 
connected to the internet. In cities and municipalities in which there is no access to
24 
internet services, the DICT shall explore and provide alternative means of internet
25 
connectivity.
26 
Sec. 12. Donations. - Private investment in this program shall be encouraged.
27 
However, all public schools and SUCs shall coordinate with the Committee before
28 
accepting any donations of hardware or software to ensure their compatibility with
29 
those installed under this Act.
30 
Sec. 13. Training Program. - The DepEd and CHED shall develop a training
31 
program for teachers in public schools and SUCs to ensure their capacity to utilize
32 
ICT in the learning process.


1 
CHAPTER III
2 
PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION
3 
Sec. 14. Coordinating Committee. - A coordinating committee to implement
4 
the provisions of this Act shall be established. It shall be composed of the following:
5 
a) The DepEd Secretary or his permanent representative;
6 
b) The CHED Chairperson or his permanent representative;
7 
c) The DICT Secretary or his permanent representative;
8 
d) The DOE Secretary or his permanent representative; and
9 
e) The DBM Secretary or his permanent representative.
10 
The Committee shall be attached, for administrative and budgetary purposes,
11 
to the DICT. The Council shall meet at least once (1) every quarter. The presence
12 
of at least three (3) members shall constitute a quorum to business. The Secretary
13 
of the DICT or his permanent representative shall be the permanent chairperson of
14 
the Committee.
15 
Sec. 15. Powers and Functions. - The Committee shall have the following
16 
powers and functions:
17 
a) Formulate and regularly update the twenty (20) year Public School and
18 
sue Modernization Plan for the implementation of this Act;
19 
b) Coordinate, monitor and ensure timely implementation of the Public
20 
School and SUC Modernization Plan;
21 
c) Submit quarterly and annual reports to Congress and the Office of the
22 
President;
23 
Sec. 16. Public School and SUC Modernization Plan. - The committee shall
24 
formulate the twenty (20) year Public School and SUC Modernization Plan. The Plan
25 
shall include the following:
a) The standards for all hardware and software to be procured and 
maintained; and
b) The operational plans and budgetary requirements of the member 
agencies in implementing the Act over the twenty (20) year period.
26
27
28
29
30
31
Sec. 17. Integration of Existing PPAs. - the Implementation of existing 
32 computerization and internet connectivity programs of the DepEd and the Free Wi-Fi


1 
Internet Access in Public Places project of the DICT and other relevant programs,
2 
projects, and activities (PPAs) shall be integrated in the Public School and SUC
3 
Modernization Plan.
4 
Sec. 18. Program Roll Out and Phasing. - The program shall be implemented
5 
over a span of twenty (20) years. The first six (6) years of this program shall be
6 
dedicated to the implementation of this program among State Universities and
7 
Colleges. The next six (6) years shall be dedicated to the implementation of this
8 
program in all public secondary schools. The final eight (8) years shall be dedicated
9 
to the implementation of this program in all public elementary schools. After such
10 
period, the Committee shall be functus officio unless extended by Congress through
11 
a Joint Resolution.
12 
The DICT shall assume the coordination, monitoring, and evaluation of all
13 
PPAs previously under the Committee and ensure the full and continuing
14 
implementation of this Act. All concerned government agencies shall extend their
15 
cooperation and support to effectively transfer the functions of Committee and wind-
16 
down its affairs, which shall include, among others, the proper inventory and
17 
transfer of its assets, equipment, and relevant documents, and the termination or
18 
return to the mother units of the Committee officers and personnel.
19 
The DICT shall be authorized to call on the agencies formerly part of the
20 
Committee as well as any other government agency, including government owned or
21 
controlled corporations, and government financial institutions, for assistance as they
22 
may deem necessary to ensure the timely and cost-effective implementation of the
23 
priority projects.
24 
CHAPTER IV
25 
TRANSITORY AND FINAL PROVISIONS
26 
Sec. 19. Exemption from Republic Act No. 7880. - The Implementation of this
27 
Act shall be exempted from the provisions of Republic Act 7880, otherwise known as
28 
the "Fair and Equitable Access to Education Act".
29 
Sec. 20. Appropriations. - The funds necessary to implement this Act shall be
30 
charged against the individual appropriations of the member agencies under the
31 
annual General Appropriations Act and shall be sourced from the following:


1 
a) The funds allocated for the DepEd Computerization Program and DepEd's
2 
Internet Connectivity Project;
3 
b) The funds allocated to the Free Wi-Fi Internet Access in Public Places
4 
project of the DICT;
5 
c) The equivalent of twenty percent (20%) of the annual gross earnings of
6 
the Philippine Amusement Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR);
7 
d) The equivalent of ten percent (10%) annual share on the total gross
8 
collections of the travel tax; and
9 
e) The equivalent of ten percent (10%) of the sales of the lotto operations of
10 
the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Offices
11 
The appropriations for the implementation of this Act shall be Indicated as a
12 
separate line-item under the annual budget of the DICT.
13 
Sec. 21. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The members of the
14 
Committee shall promulgate the implementing rules and regulations of this Act
15 
within thirty (30) days from the effectivity of this Act.
16 
Sec. 22. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held invalid or
17 
unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other
18 
provisions hereof.
19 
Sec. 23. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders and rules
20 
and regulations contrary to or Inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
21 
repealed or modified accordingly.
22 
Sec. 24. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
23 
its publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,