The House of Representatives has unanimously passed on third and final reading House Bill No. 9532, also known as the proposed Universal Access to Digital Academic Learning Resources Act, aimed at eliminating financial barriers to educational materials and online connectivity for students and educators.
House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III emphasized that students should not have to sacrifice basic needs like food and commute expenses to cover the costs of learning tools or web access.
“Today, a student who cannot afford textbooks or reliable internet access is already starting at a disadvantage,” Dy said.
“Isipin natin ang isang estudyante na kailangang mamili kung bibili ng libro at magpapaload para makapag-research, o gagamitin ang pera para sa pamasahe at pagkain. Through this bill, our youth do not need to make this painful choice,” he said.
Dy underscored that modern academic success is heavily reliant on technology, leaving financially constrained learners behind if digital resources remain out of reach.
He stressed that the House acknowledges the necessity of digital connectivity in contemporary education.
“Hindi na puwedeng ang kalidad ng pag-aaral ng isang estudyante ay nakadepende sa kung kaya niyang bumili ng mamahaling libro o kung may sapat siyang pera para sa internet,” Dy pointed out.
“When a student in a rural campus can access the same quality academic materials available to a student in a major university, we begin to close the gap. When our teachers can create and share Filipino learning materials nationwide, we strengthen the entire higher education system,” he said, adding:
“Young Filipinos are preparing for a world where digital skills are no longer optional. We have to make sure that lack of money, connectivity, or access to learning materials does not prevent a capable Filipino student from reaching his or her potential.”
Under the proposed legislation, a National Academic Content Repository will be established by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) alongside the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and various higher education institutions.
The digital hub will offer nationwide, cost-free access to lecture videos, digital textbooks, research studies, course syllabi, and open educational content across multiple disciplines.
Additionally, the bill requires public and private higher education institutions to provide free high-speed campus Wi-Fi to enrolled students and faculty, prioritizing rural and under-resourced campuses during the initial rollout.
It also incentivizes the development of locally produced educational resources through grant programs and directs CHED to negotiate affordable or open-access agreements with both domestic and international publishers.