Boosted Technology Subsidy (Bts) for Students and Learners Act

Notic at dee many TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 26 APR 16 P3:06 First Regular Session SENATE 2048 RECEIVED 3X: S. No. _ Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR AN ACT PROVIDING ASSISTANCE TO STUDENTS OR LEARNERS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION PROGRAMS, AND STATE UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES THROUGH THE INSTITUTIONALIZATION OF THE BOOSTED TECHNOLOGY SUBSIDY PROGRAM EXPLANATORY NOTE Education is a cornerstone of nation-building, and the 1987 Constitution is replete with clauses affirming the primacy of quality and accessible education for all.1 In particular, the State should establish and maintain a system of grants, loan programs, subsidies, and other incentives for deserving students, especially the underprivileged. 2 Technology plays a key role in enhancing the teaching-learning process and improving the state of education. Laptops, tablets, and internet connectivity can provide accessible and comprehensive learning by giving students a library of information at their fingertips. Meanwhile, the use of artificial intelligence (AI), the field of computer science that simulates human intelligence, has rapidly expanded in classrooms, teaching, learning, and educational governance. Teachers, learners, and even Department of Education offices now utilize AI for instruction, research, analytics, and administrative operations. 3 1 CONST., art. XIV, sec. 1. 2 COnST., art. XIV, sec. 2(3). 3 DepEd Order No. 003, s. 2026 (Feb. 20, 2026).

However, the EDCOM Il Report highlighted that the lack of infrastructure and insufficient access to appropriate software and hardware limit the potential of digital transformation, particularly in higher education, especially among low-income students. According to the World Bank, referencing the 2019 National ICT Household Survey, 82% of households lacked internet access, and 76% had no computer at home, with high costs cited as the main barrier.4 Thus, this bill establishes the Boosted Technology Subsidy (BTS) Program to maximize the use of available technologies for learning and equip students with appropriate tools and service subscriptions. Specifically, the BTS Program will provide subsidies of up to Php30,000 for gadgets like laptops or notebooks, Php400.00 to purchase pocket Wi-Fi devices, Php600 per month for internet subscriptions, and Php300.00 per month for AI system access. It shall cover underprivileged students and learners enrolled in State Colleges and Universities, public schools, and alternative learning systems under the DepEd. Through this targeted measure, the State can address the inadequacy of existing digital infrastructure and harness technological advancements to enhance the education system's responsiveness and relevance in nation-building. In light of the foregoing, the passage of this measure is earnestly sought. MARK A. VILLAR 4 Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II), Turning Point: A Decade of Necessary Reform (2026-2035): EDCOM II Final Report, at 245 (2026).

AJA Do Offer of the S Start TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 26 APR 16 P3:06 SENATE RECEIVED BY: S. No. - 2048 Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR AN ACT PROVIDING ASSISTANCE TO STUDENTS OR LEARNERS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION PROGRAMS, AND STATE UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES THROUGH THE INSTITUTIONALIZATION OF THE BOOSTED TECHNOLOGY SUBSIDY PROGRAM 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 "Boosted Technology

2 Subsidy (BTS) for Students and Learners Act."

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is a declared policy of the State to protect

4 and promote the right to quality education relevant to the needs of the people, take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all, and establish and maintain a system of subsidies and other incentives which shall be available to 7 deserving students, especially to the underprivileged. It is likewise a declared policy of the State to recognize the vital role of 9 communication, information, and technology in nation-building. Further, the State hereby recognizes the potential of the ethical use of artificial intelligence as a complementary educational tool that supports pedagogically sound practices and addresses learning gaps through personalized and adaptive learning, inclusive and equitable education, and efficient, responsive governance. Toward these ends, the State shall establish and maintain a system that equips students and learners with the appropriate tools to enhance the learning process, 16 improve internet access, and harness artificial intelligence for educational purposes.

Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act:

(a) Academic Term refers to the official period during which a public school or 3 State University and College (SUC) hoids classes, whether on a quarterly, semestral, or trimestral basis, whichever is applicable. (b) Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to the capability of computer systems to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as perception, learning, reasoning, problem-solving, language interaction, and creative work. (c) AI System refers to the operational applications built using Al technologies 9 to perform specific functions in real-world settings. (d) AI Technologies refer to the tools and techniques that make AI work, including machine learning, natural language processing, image and video recognition, which serve as the foundations for building AI systems. (e) Basic Education refers to the kindergarten, primary education, junior high school, and senior high school programs offered by the Department of Education (DepEd). (f) Gadget refers to either a laptop or tablet capable of internet connectivity and/or running an Al system for educational purposes. (g) Laptop refers to a portable personal computer whose main components, such as a processor, keyboard, and display screen, are integrated into a single unit capable of battery-powered operation. For purposes of this Act, laptop may be used interchangeably with "notebook." (h) Pocket Wi-Fi refers to a portable and battery-powered device that provides wireless internet access to gadgets using a mobile network. (i) Tabletrefers to a wireless, portable device with a touchscreen interface that is typically smaller than a notebook computer but larger than a smartphone.

Sec. 4. Boosted Technology Subsidy (BTS) Program. - All related government

programs are hereby institutionalized into The BTS Program or the "Program" ", to help defray the costs of procuring appropriate, quality, and equitable tools that enhance the ability of a student or learner to effectively use modern technologies for learning. The Program shall include a subsidy to cover the purchase of gadgets, internet 31 subscriptions, education- and age-appropriate AI system subscriptions, or any combination thereof, in the following amounts:

a. Gadget - not exceeding Thirty thousand pesos (Php30,000.00) per covered student or learner; b. Internet Subscription - not exceeding Four hundred pesos (Php400.00) for Pocket Wi-Fi with Six hundred pesos (Php600.00) load allowance per month during the academic term; c. Al System Subscription - not exceeding Three hundred pesos (Php300.00) per month during an academic term. Provided, That the internet and Al system subscription subsidy shall be 9 granted only during the time in which a student or learner is enrolled as provided in the immediately succeeding section, and the academic term is ongoing.

Sec. 5. Coverage. - This Act shall cover all Filipino students or learners enrolled

12 in a Basic Education program in public schools, Alternative Learning Systems under Republic Act No. 11510 or the "Alternative Learning System Act," Open High School Programs, or other alternative educational programs offered by the DepEd, and SUCs: 15 Provided, That the beneficiary student or learner: a. Has no appropriate gadget, permanent access to the internet or to AI systems, or subscriptions thereto; b. Belongs to a household whose monthly income does not exceed the poverty threshold as defined by the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development, and/or cannot sustainably meet their minimum basic needs of food, health, education, housing, and other essential amenities of life; and c. Is of good moral character and has no derogatory record.

Sec. 6. Implementing Agencies. - The DepEd and Commission on Higher

Education (CHED) shall consult the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), local government units (LGUs), SUCs, and other stakeholders in the implementation of this Act. This includes setting minimum requirements for gadgets, internet connectivity, and appropriate Al systems, in accordance with the declared policy under Section 2 and the Program objectives under Section 4 hereof.

Sec. 7. Incentives for Private Sector Participation. - The implementing

agencies shall encourage the participation of the private sector in the Program, which

1 shall include, among others, private corporations, people's and non-government 2 organizations, and such other groups or organizations, both foreign and local, that 3 may want to partner in whole or in part with the implementation of the Program. Any donation from the private sector to covered students or learners of 5 suitable gadgets, internet subscriptions, or AI system subscriptions shall entitled the 6 corporate and individual entities to the benefits and incentives provided under Section 7 5 of Republic Act No. 8525 or the "Adopt-A-School Act of 1998," allowing for 8 additional deduction from the gross income equivalent to fifty percent (50%) of such 9 expenses notwithstanding the provisions of existing laws to the contrary. Valuation 10 of assistance other than money shall be based on the acquisition cost of the property, 11 taking into consideration its depreciated value in case said property has already been 12 used. The entitlement to such incentives shall be subject to the guidelines and minimum standards to be formulated by the DepEd and CHED.

Sec. 8. Prohibition on Sale, Lease, or Disposition of Program Benefits. - Any

16 sale, lease, or disposition of a gadget, internet subscription, or AI system subscription 17 granted under the Program before a covered student or learner graduates from the Basic Education program or earns his or her degree from a SUC shall be void. Any covered student or learner who sells, leases, or otherwise disposes of, or any person who induces the former to sell, lease, or dispose of a gadget, internet subscription, or AI system subscription in violation of the immediately preceding paragraph, shall be ineligible to be covered under this Act.

Sec. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from the

effectivity of this Act, the DepEd and the CHED, in consultation with the DICT, DILG, LGUs, SUCs, and other relevant stakeholders, shall promulgate the rules and regulations necessary for the proper implementation of this Act.

Sec. 10. Appropriations. - An amount of One hundred fifty billion pesos

(Php150,000,000,000.00) is hereby appropriated for the initial implementation of this Act. Thereafter, the amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act shall be 30 included in the respective budgets of the DepEd and the CHED in the General 31 Appropriations Act, to be augmented by a portion of the Special Education Fund of

LGUs as provided for in Republic Act No. 7160 or the "Local Government Code of 2 1991, " as amended.

Sec. 11. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared

unconstitutional, the remainder thereof not otherwise affected shall remain in full force and effect.

Sec. 12. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,

letters of instruction, and administrative regulations that are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or modified.

Sec. 13. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days from its

10 publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,