BICOL Saro Party-list Rep. Brian Raymund Yamsuan is advocating for a measure to digitalize the country’s public school system.

Under his proposed House Bill 276, or the Institutionalization of Digital Technology in Public Education Act, Yamsuan seeks an initial P500 million allocations to modernize public schools and enable both teachers and students to effectively use technology as a vital educational tool.

Yamsuan emphasized that digitalizing the Philippine public school system is essential for improving access to education, especially in marginalized communities.

He cited a report by the Stratbase Institute, a private think tank, which called for the urgent digital transformation of public schools to enhance student learning competencies.

Yamsuan pointed out that during typhoons, floods, and other emergencies, private school students can easily transition to online classes, while public school students often rely on makeup sessions or printed modules.

He also referred to the Department of Education’s revised class suspension guidelines, which only automatically suspend Kindergarten classes under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1. For Grades 1 to 10, suspension only occurs under TCWS No. 2, requiring students to switch to online or modular distance learning, or attend makeup classes to ensure continuity.

Under TCWS No. 3 and above, classes at all levels are automatically suspended.

However, many public schools still lack the necessary digital infrastructure to support online and modular learning during disruptions.

“These options should include the use of digital technology in all public schools to improve student learning outcomes. Unfortunately, not all schools have the tools to shift to online learning,” Yamsuan said.

“The government must invest in institutionalizing the digitalization of public schools to ensure we are prepared for any future challenges in the education system,” he added.

HB 276 mandates the Department of Education (DepEd) to develop a Digital Technology Roadmap for Public Schools, in collaboration with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

The bill also calls for the roadmap to be reviewed every five years or as needed to keep pace with technological advancements.