ILOCOS SUR 1st District Rep. Deogracias Savellano filed a bill that seeks to integrate distance learning with traditional education.

Under House Bill 7890 or the proposed Distance Education Act, Savellano said distance learning can be an alternate education scheme when face-to-face classes will again be implemented.

“Distance education is defined as the practice of using correspondence, the utilization of mass media such as broadcast networks and radios; and the use of the internet,” he said in his explanatory note.

Through this scheme, students can access school instruction remotely. He said that this can reduce traffic congestion.

“Distance Education is not just an emergency alternative anymore in providing education at the primary and secondary levels but will become a major component by the mid-century as technology will improve at an unprecedented pace,” Savellano said.

He stressed that distance education is a more cost-effective form of learning and can save students a significant amount of money compared to traditional education.

House Bill 7890 mandates the Department of Education, the Commission on Higher Education, Government Media Centers like People’s Television 4, and other agencies, institutions or organizations to craft strategic plans and integrate Distance Education in the Basic Education.

“The DepEd and the CHED shall devise modules for these Distance Education Programs and shall implement pilot programs in selected schools, particularly state schools such as the laboratory University of the Philippines Integrated School,” the lawmaker said.