Public Schools and State Universities and Colleges Modernization Act of 2026
Filed on March 9, 2026, and referred to the Committees on Basic Education, Higher, Technical and Vocational Education, and Finance; it has been pending in the committee since then with no recorded action.
The bill addresses significant gaps in educational infrastructure and technology access in the Philippines.
The bill responds to the urgent need for modernization in the education sector, particularly in technology and infrastructure.
Public Schools and State Universities and Colleges Modernization Act of 2026
The Public Schools and State Universities and Colleges Modernization Act of 2026 aims to modernize educational institutions in the Philippines by enhancing infrastructure, integrating technology, and improving access to digital resources.
Compared with current law:
Public schools lack modern ICT infrastructure and resources.
The bill mandates the establishment of computer laboratories and provides teachers with laptops to enhance educational delivery.
Limited access to electricity in many public schools.
The bill requires a comprehensive inventory of schools without electricity and mandates access to electricity within one year.
Teachers have limited training in ICT.
The bill establishes a training program for teachers to effectively use ICT in their teaching.
The main goal is to modernize all public schools and state universities and colleges in the Philippines by improving infrastructure, integrating information and communications technology (ICT), and enhancing access to digital resources.
Source · full text✦ Dashed tags are AI-suggested nuance; solid tags follow the committee taxonomy.
Stalled: the bill has sat in committee for over six months with no action since its referral on March 10, 2026.
No floor deliberations yet — this measure has not reached plenary. Its committee-stage actions appear under Legislative history above.
Senate Office of the sere. clary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 26 MAR -9 P4:15 First Regular Session ) RECEIVED BY: SENATE S. No. 1951 Introduced by Senator JV Ejercito AN ACT TO MODERNIZE ALL PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND STATE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES IN THE PHILIPPINES, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES EXPLANATORY NOTE The Philippine continues to face major challenges in modernizing the country's education system, particularly in terms of technological investment and infrastructure. While neighboring countries have already achieved universal access to computers and the internet in schools, the Philippines still lags behind due to relatively low computer ownership and limited internet connectivity in many educational institutions. 1 Part of this challenge stems from the inadequate and inconsistent implementation of ICT infrastructure programs in schools. Empirical studies have consistently shown that improved school infrastructure including access to digital tools, reliable internet, and modern learning facilities—has a positive relationship with better student learning outcomes.? At present, learners in rural areas and congested public schools are hindered in their learning capacity due to outdated materials, limited ICT access, and teachers with limited traning or support. This weakens the overall capacity of public schools to provide quality education in contrast with United Nation Sustainable Development Goal 1 Navarro, A. (2024). School infrastructure in the Philippines: Where are we now and where should we be heading? In Philippine Institute for Development Studies eBooks. https://doi.org/10.62986/rps2024.06 2 Ibid. p. 4 3 Second Congressional Commission on Education. (2026). Turning Point: A Decade of Necessary Reform (2026- 2035), EDCOM II Final Report. Second Congressional Commission on Education.
number 4.4 Although many measures are implemented in ensuring quality education amongst public schools, learning gaps remain to be a major concern in the Philippine education sector. Current programs and policies have largely focused on improving basic school infrastructure, such as the construction of additional classrooms to address congestion and accommodate the growing student population. However, there remains a significant gap in investments for information and communications technology (ICT) equipment and digital learning tools in public schools. Thus, this bill seeks to institutionalize a comprehensive modernization program for public schools nationwide, with particular emphasis on strengthening ICT infrastructure and expanding access to digital resources for learners and educators. Investment in education is especially crucial in today's rapidly evolving digital environment. Notably, recent policy studies conducted by the Second Congressional Commission on Education revealed significant learning gaps among Filipino students, largely attributed to the longstanding underinvestment in the country's education sector. By prioritizing modernization and digital access, the proposed measure aims to help bridge these gaps, improve learning outcomes, and ensure that the Philippine education system becomes more responsive to the demands of the modern world. Among the major provisions of this bill are upgrading facilities in public schools, integration of digital and information technology, and providing better equipment for research and instruction of teachers. Through this measure, educational support is ensured and empowers educational stakeholders to further their capacity in meaningfully contributing to the Philippine society. In light of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this legislation is earnestly sought. JV EJERCITO 4 Ibid. p. 4
Office of the errantary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 26 MAR -9 P4:15 First Regular Session ) SENATE RECEIVED BY: S. No. 1951 Introduced by Senator JV Ejercito 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 the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled: CHAPTER I GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 1. Short Title. - This act shall be known as the Public Schools and State
Universities and Colleges Modernization Act of 2026.
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State shall protect and promote the right of
6 all citizens to quality education at all levels and shall take appropriate steps to make 7 such education accessible to all. As such, the State embraces the role of information 8 and communications technology In Improving the learning process and shall strive to 9 mainstream its provision and use in all public schools and state universities and 10 colleges.
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this act:
a) Committee refers to the Coordinating Committee established under this Act; b) Information and Communications Technology or ICT refers to the totality of electronic means to access, create, collect, store, process, receive, transmit, present and disseminate information; c) Modernization Program refers to the Public School and SUCs Modernization Program created under this Act;
d) Public Schoois to all public elementary and secondary schools in the country; and e) SUC refers to all State Universities and Colleges in the country.
Sec. 4. Public School and SUCs Modernization Program. - There is hereby
created a "Public School and State University and College Modernization Program" hereafter referred to as "the Program". The Program shall have the following objectives: a) To provide up to date ICT hardware and software to all public schools and state universities; b) To ensure that the provision of ICT hardware and software is cost effective; c) To mainstream the use of ICT as a tool in the delivery of basic and higher education; d) To set standards for the introduction, utilization and maintenance of ICT in public schools and state universities and colleges; e) To ensure that public school teachers are adequately trained in using ICT in the learning process; f) To ensure that students of public schools and state universities and colleges are aware of and capable of using ICT. CHAPTER II PROGRAM COMPONENTS
Sec. 5. Computerization Program. - At least one computer laboratory with a
minimum of ten (10) computers shall be established in all public schools and SUCs nationwide. The software need for the operation of this system shall be open source and shall be developed by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT). The DICT shall also ensure that all hardware procured under this 26 Act are well-maintained
Sec. 6. One Teacher One Laptop. - Each teacher shall be provided with one (1)
laptop which shall have access to the central server of each school. Teachers using their laptops shall be encouraged to use the available educational software and to develop and share their own educational modules. Sec. 7. Educational Software. - The concerned members of the Committee shall develop educational software for the use
1 of students and teachers alike. The DICT shall ensure that all educational software 2 shall is open source.
Sec. 8. Upgrading of Libraries. - A well-equipped library shall be established in
every public elementary and secondary high school. It shall contain at least 5 computers which shall be connected to the central server in each school Sec. 9. Multimedia Classroom. - Each public school and SUC shall be provided with a multimedia classroom package composed of one (1) interactive whiteboard and one (1) LCD projector and screen.
Sec. 10. School Electrification Program. - within one (1) year from the effectivity
of this Act, Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and Department of Energy (DOE) shall conduct a comprehensive inventory of public schools and SUCs which do not have access to electricity. Thereafter, the DOE shall ensure that all public schools and SUCs have access to electricity. Provided, that public schools and SUCs which are far from the transmission grid shall be included under the missionary electrification program of the National Power Corporation as established under Republic Act No. 9136, otherwise known as the "Electric Power Industry Reform Act of2001".21 Sec. 11. Internet Connectivity. - The DepEd, CHED and DICT, in coordination with private Internet providers, shall ensure that all public 19 schools and SUCs shall be connected to the internet. In cities and municipalities in which there is no access to internet services, the DICT shall explore and provide alternative means of internet connectivity.
Sec. 12. Donations. - Private investment in this program shall be encouraged.
However, all public schools and SUCs shall coordinate with the Committee before accepting any donations of hardware or software to ensure their compatibility with those installed under this Act.
Sec. 13. Training Program. - The DepEd and CHED shall develop a training
program for teachers in public schools and SUCs to ensure their capacity to utilize ICT in the learning process. CHAPTER III PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION
Sec. 14. Coordinating Committee. - A coordinating committee to implement the
provisions of this Act shall be established. It shall be composed of the following:
a) The DepEd Secretary or his permanent representative; b) The CHED Chairperson or his permanent representative; c) The DICT Secretary or his permanent representative; d) The DOE Secretary or his permanent representative; and e) The DBM Secretary or his permanent representative. The Committee shall be attached, for administrative and budgetary purposes, to the DICT. The Council shall meet at least once (1) every quarter. The presence of at least three (3) members shall constitute a quorum to business. The Secretary of the DICT or his permanent representative shall be the permanent chairperson of the 10 Committee.
Sec. 15. Powers and Functions. - The Committee shall have the following
powers and functions: a) Formulate and regularly update the twenty (20) year Public School and sue Modernization Plan for the implementation of this Act; b) Coordinate, monitor and ensure timely implementation of the Public School and SUC Modernization Plan; c) Submit quarterly and annual reports to Congress and the Office of the President;
Sec. 16. Public School and SUCs Modernization Plan. - The committee shall
formulate the twenty (20) year Public School and SUC Modernization Plan. The Plan 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 memberagencies in implementing the Act over the twenty (20) year period.26
Sec. 17. Integration of Existing PPAs. - the Implementation of existing
computerization and internet connectivity programs of the DepEd and the Free Wi-Fi Internet Access in Public Places project of the DICT and other relevant programs, projects, and activities (PPAs) shall be integrated in the Public School and SUC Modernization Plan.
Sec. 18. Program Roll Out and Phasing. - The program shall be implemented
over a span of twenty (20) years. The first six (6) years of this program shall be
dedicated to the implementation of this program among State Universities and 2 Colleges. The next six (6) years shall be dedicated to the implementation of this program in all public secondary schools. The final eight (8) years shall be dedicated to the implementation of this program in all public elementary schools. After such period, the Committee shall be functus officio unless extended by Congress through a 6 Joint Resolution. The DICT shall assume the coordination, monitoring, and evaluation of all PPAs previously under the Committee and ensure the full and continuing implementation of 9 this Act. All concerned government agencies shall extend their cooperation and 10 support to effectively transfer the functions of Committee and wind down its affairs, 11 which shall include, among others, the proper inventory and transfer of its assets, equipment, and relevant documents, and the termination or return to the mother units of the Committee officers and personnel. The DICT shall be authorized to call on the agencies formerly part of the 15 Committee as well as any other government agency, including government owned or 16 controlled corporations, and government financial institutions, for assistance as they may deem necessary to ensure the timely and cost-effective implementation of the priority projects. CHAPTER IV TRANSITORY AND FINAL PROVISIONS
Sec. 19. Exemption from Republic Act No. 7880. - The Implementation of this
Act shall be exempted from the provisions of Republic Act 7880, otherwise known as the "Fair and Equitable Access to Education Act".
Sec. 20. Appropriations. - The funds necessary to implement this Act shall be
charged against the individual appropriations of the member agencies under the annual General Appropriations Act and shall be sourced from the following: a) The funds allocated for the DepEd Computerization Program and DepEd's Internet Connectivity Project; b) The funds allocated to the Free Wi-Fi Internet Access in Public Places project of the DICT; c) The equivalent of twenty percent (20%) of the annual gross earnings of the Philippine Amusement Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR);
d) The equivalent of ten percent (10%) annual share on the total gross collections of the travel tax; and e) The equivalent of ten percent (10%) of the sales of the lotto operations of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Offices The appropriations for the implementation of this Act shall be Indicated as a 6 separate line-item under the annual budget of the DICT.
Sec. 21. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The members of the Committee
8 shall promulgate the implementing rules and regulations of this Act within thirty (30) 9 days from the effectivity of this Act.
Sec. 22. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other provisions hereof.
Sec. 23. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders and rules and
regulations contrary to or Inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
Sec. 24. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. Approved,
Reproduced from the Senate document. The official PDF is the authoritative version.