Full TEXT:

ORDINANCE NO. 2024-089

AN ORDINANCE REGULATING THE USE OF MOBILE PHONES AND SIMILAR ELECTRONIC GADGETS DURING CLASS IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN NAGA CITY, CONSTITUTING A TECHNICAL WORKING GROUP FOR THIS PURPOSE, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Author: HON. JOSELITO S.A. DEL ROSARIO, Ph.D.
Co-Author: HON. VANESSA B. DELA TRINIDAD
City Youth Official Counterpart

EXPLANATORY NOTES

The advent of technology has undeniably aided in the improved classroom instructions and learning environment of our schools through the years. The use of technological tools has been said to increase student engagement and access to resources, and boost overall learning.

On the other hand, in as much as technology plays a crucial support in facilitating student proficiency, its abuse or inappropriate usage can lead to many disadvantages inside the classroom setting.

For instance, the unregulated use of mobile phones by students during class hours allows them to have access to various social media sites, amid ongoing class discussions—causing distractions, loss of attention, and eventual difficulty in comprehension, leading to drawbacks in the development of their competencies. Various studies and researches have shown direct correlation of literacy level with that of the unsupervised use of gadgets like mobile phones, particularly inside the classroom setting.

In the 2023 Global Education Monitoring Report of UNESCO, it has been said that said gadgets distracted students in 14 countries. Accordingly, UNESCO has recommended that phones be banned in schools. It is cited that countries that have banned the use of smartphones in classes include France, Finland, China, Italy, Netherlands, and Portugal.

With the low performance of our country, the Philippines, in the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) ranking, which for the second time in 2022, landed us in the bottom 10 out of 81 countries in reading comprehension, mathematics, and science, and with reports on December 5, 2023 that Filipino 15-year-old students are five to six years behind their foreign peers in learning competencies, it is imperative to enhance our efforts to reverse the standing of our student performance in the ranking.

In Naga City, despite the extensive and consistent efforts being pursued by the Local Government under Mayor Nelson S. Legacion and the Division Office under the able leadership of Superintendent Dr. Susan Collano, CESO V, to further improve the quality of education, there is a need to support such efforts by means of legislative action/s such as in the case of gadget regulations.

Regulating the use of mobile phones and similar electronic gadgets of our students inside the classroom setting during class hours, is being seen a beneficial undertaking to help lessen unnecessary distractions, enhance focus in class discussions, and improve the overall learning and competency development of our students.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Ordinance shall be known as the “Naga City Regulation on Mobile Phones Usage in Schools.”

SECTION 2. DECLARATION OF POLICY. The following policies and objectives are set forth under this ordinance:

a. Foster the enactment of legislations that will redound to the general welfare of the citizens, students included;
b. Give the highest priority to the adoption of measures for the universalization of literacy, through stringent implementation of existing policies;
c. Promote responsible use of mobile phones and other electronic gadgets in schools;
d. Enhance the technical capabilities of learners, maximizing their inherent skills, and eliminating distractions that are contributing to their poor academic performance and social skills;
e. Uphold the well-being and further development of students through improved classroom instructions

SECTION 3. DEFINITION OF TERMS. As used in this Ordinance, the following shall mean:

a. Literacy- the ability of an individual to read and write, including skills in speaking and listening, and the competence to comprehend knowledge in various learning areas
b. Basic Education refers to elementary level from Grade 1 to Grade 6, and secondary from Grade 7 to 12
c. Reading Comprehension- the ability of an individual to process, understand, integrate, and make sense of acquired knowledge
d. School Hours- the official class schedules duly approved by the school administration
e. Public Schools-are those operating under the direct supervision of the Department of Education
f. Private Schools-are those operating with certain degree of liberality in their respective curricula but still under the supervision of the Department of Education
g. Electronic gadget- a piece of instrument which is capable of performing multiple activities at a great speed using internet. It may refer to cellphones, tablets, among others.
h. Mobile Phones- portable electronic device for communication and access to various applications

SECTION 4. SCOPE OF THE ORDINANCE. This regulation shall cover students in all elementary and secondary schools in Naga City, both public and private.

SECTION 5. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES, STRATEGY, FRAMEWORK AND APPROACHES, OUTCOME, AND TARGETS AND TIMELINES

A. Goals and Objectives. This Ordinance aims to provide support and heighten implementation of existing policies in curbing unabated and unwarranted use of mobile phones and other electronic devices inside classrooms during class hours.
B. Strategy. This policy focuses upon the elimination of causes of distractions in the classroom setting that are affecting student learning, so as to enhance student performance in schools.
C. Framework and Approaches. This regulation seeks to involve different community members- parents, teachers, student governments, private educational institutions to uphold an integrated and holistic approach in encouraging learning, with an emphasis on improved reading activities, upon the students.
D. Outcome. This ordinance sets as its end-goal the steadfast commitment of the Nagueno youth to reading activities as the primary source of knowledge
E. Targets and Timelines. The following sets forth the targets and timelines of this policy:

Timeline	Activity
July and August 2024	Conduct of consultative or exploratory meetings with stakeholders to refine the goals, strategies, framework and outcomes of this Ordinance
	Organization of a technical working group to design and develop a comprehensive guideline for this purpose
	Production of approved guidelines
	Conduct of teachers training and parents’ association orientation
	Refinement of the guidelines based on the results orientations conducted
	Production of the final guidelines for the implementation of the Ordinance to be cascaded to all schools in Naga City
2nd Quarter of S/Y 2024 (September 25 onwards)	Full implementation of the Ordinance

SECTION 6. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. There is hereby created an Executive Committee to oversee the implementation of this Ordinance with the following composition:

Chairperson: City Mayor
Co-Chairperson: Superintendent, Division of City Schools, Naga City
Members: Chairperson, SP Committee on Education
Executive Director, Naga City People’s Council

SECTION 7. TECHNICAL WORKING GROUP. A Technical Working Group (TWG) is herein created with the following composition and functions:

Chairperson: City Administrator
Co-Chairperson: CID Head, DepEd Naga
Members:
a) SP Vice Chairperson, Committee on Education
b) SP Chairperson, Committee on Children
c) Head, ESSO
d) Head, CSWDO
e) Executive Director, NCPC
f) President, Principals and Supervisors Association of Naga
g) President, PTA Federation of Naga
h) President, Federation of School Student Government
i) President, Sangguniang Kabataan
j) President, Naga City Teachers’ Association (DNACITEA) Officers

Functions:
a) Formulate the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of this ordinance/regulation
b) Recommend to the Sangguniang Panlungsod, for concurrence, the appropriate sanctions for violations of this Ordinance
c) Perform other functions necessary in order to effectively implement this Ordinance.

SECTION 7-A. CONDITIONS AND CONSIDERATIONS

a. In the performance of its functions, the TWG shall take into consideration certain cases or some exceptions such as the health of the learners, activities outside of school events, striking a balance on the use of mobile phones and e-devices for academic purposes, and other learning-related activities.
b. The membership of the representatives of these organizations or offices outside of City Hall shall commence upon their acceptance of the invitation sent for this purpose.

SECTION 8. TWG SUB COMMITTEE. A sub-committee is herein established for the purpose hereunto stated:

Chairperson: CID Head, Department of Education, Naga City
Co-Chairperson: SP Committee on Education
Members:
Department Head, ESSO
Representative from a private school
Representative from the PTA Presidents
Representative from the School Principals
Representative of/or Prefect of Discipline Committee on Discipline, CSNHS

Functions:
a. Consolidation and consultations with various stakeholders for purposes of the implementation of this Ordinance
b. Provide the TWG of the results of the activities herein conducted
c. Orientation of Parents and/or guardians, Parents-Teachers Association (PTA) and GPTA Federation, Student Governments/Councils officers (elementary and high school) and the School Administrators and Guidance Counselors on the objectives and mechanics of the Ordinance

SECTION 8-A. For this purpose, the initial results of the discussions made during the Committee hearings of the Sanggunian Panlungsod on this matter, the conduct of focus group discussions (FGDs), including the results and feedbacks of meetings with the Student Learners’ Officers, shall be forwarded to the TWG which shall serve as additional inputs for the crafting of the IRR.

SECTION 8-B. The comprehensive guidelines, as crafted by the TWG, shall be considered forming part of this Ordinance.

SECTION 9. ATTENDANT ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES. The following are hereby underscored for purposes of partnerships and collaboration:

a. The Education, Scholarships, and Sports Office (ESSO), in addition to its existing functions, shall undertake the following:

1. Craft a comprehensive support plan to assist the SDO-Naga City in the effective implementation of this Ordinance

2. Coordinate with other possible partners for the efficient and effective implementation of this ordinance.

b. In partnership with the Department of Education the City Division is highly encouraged to undertake the following:

1. Spearhead the conduct of orientation activities

2. Issue the necessary memorandum to fully cascade the implementation of this ordinance

3. Conduct capacity building for teachers, with the support of the LGU, on proper means of guiding the students in maximizing use of gadgets in connection with the purposes of technology for enhanced digital literacy

c. As the second parents of our learners, the Class Teacher/Adviser, in the exercise of his/her duties and responsibilities, shall undertake the following:

1. Facilitate the information/dissemination of this ordinance to their respective students and parents and strengthen partnerships for purposes thereof

2. Provide relevant feedbacks so as to further enhance implementation hereof

d. The barangay officials are highly encouraged to conduct the following:

1. Monitor implementation of this Ordinance through the respective Liga ng mga Barangay Federation (LNB), Kapisanan ng mga Sangguniang Barangay Kagawad (KSBK) Federation and provide necessary assistance to ensure compliance, as well as feedback thereof.

2. Assist in the information dissemination and in the conduct of home visitation to ensure a strengthened partnership with parents to improve academic performance of the students.

e. As active partners of the local government, and as the ones primary responsible for the care and well-being of learners, the parent/guardian/ family members shall undertake the following:

1. Highly adhere to this Ordinance by constantly reminding their students of the ill-effects of the excessive use of gadgets and that class hours should be solely devoted to studies.

SECTION 10. AUTHORITY TO ENTER INTO MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT WITH STAKEHOLDERS. The City Mayor, under this Ordinance, is hereby authorized to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement, subject to the ratification of the Sangguniang Panlunsod, in order to expedite, enhance and/or maximize the implementation of this Ordinance and achieve the policy and purposes hereunto stated.

SECTION 11. PROMOTION AND INFORMATION AND EDUCATION CAMPAIGN. The city government through the City Events, Protocol, and Public Information Office, in collaboration with the Department of Education-Naga City Division, shall endeavor to inform the general public regarding the intents, purposes and objectives of this Ordinance using various means, such as production of tarps, social media and the like.

SECTION 12. BUDGETARY REQUIREMENTS. The amount of five hundred thousand (P.5 M) pesos for the full implementation of this Ordinance shall be sourced from the Special Education Fund thru the concurrence and approval of the Naga City School Board.

SECTION 13. REPEALING CLAUSE. Any existing Ordinance found to be inconsistent with this Ordinance, is deemed amended/repealed.

SECTION 14. EFFECTIVITY CLAUSE. This Ordinance shall take effect immediately upon its approval.

ENACTED: August 13, 2024

WE HEREBY CERTIFY to the correctness of the foregoing ordinance

CECILIA B. VELUZ-DE ASIS
City Vice Mayor & Presiding Officer

GIL A. DE LA TORRE
Secretary to the Sangguniang Panlungsod

APPROVED:

NELSON S. LEGACION
City Mayor