Senator Sherwin "Win" Gatchalian, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, filed a proposed bill on Saturday, Aug. 6, that seeks to provide laptops for students in all public schools.

The Senate Bill No. 474 or the One learner, One laptop Act, will ensure that all K-12 students from kindergarten to senior high school students, will each receive a laptop of their own.

According to Gatchalian, the lack of devices and unstable internet connection is the learners’ struggles in online classes amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The intent of this priority measure is to ensure that all learners will be able to continue with their education even in the midst of emergency situations or disasters that could disrupt face-to-face classes. Even if physical interactions are already in full swing, these devices would still be needed for any school work,” he said in a statement.

The Act stated that the Department of Health (DOH) Secretary, through the Bureau of Learning Sources, is mandated to create policies, standards, and guidelines for the implementation of the Act.

In accordance with the Republic Act No. 10929 or Free Internet Access in Public Places Act, the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT) is assigned the acceleration of the installation, deployment, and activation of free public wi-fi.

A subsidized data plan will also be given to learners whose parents are listed as beneficiaries of the “Listahanan” program by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).