House lawmaker pushes for digital literacy in basic education
MANILA, Philippines — Amid rising concerns over misinformation and disinformation, a lawmaker from the House of Representatives has called for the passage of a bill integrating digital literacy in the country’s basic education curriculum.
According to Quezon City 5th District Rep. Patrick Michael “PM” Vargas, House Bill No. 8831 or the “Digital Literacy in Schools Act” aims to institutionalize digital literacy education in public schools.
If enacted, the bill will require the Department of Education (DepEd) to incorporate modules on “fact-checking, source verification, responsible social media use, and critical analysis of online content” into the basic education curriculum.
Article continues after this advertisement
“The internet has become a vast, unfiltered space where truth and falsehoods coexist. We must empower our younger generation with the tools to critically assess online content, ensuring that they are not easily misled by misinformation,” Vargas said in a statement on Wednesday.
Vargas noted that the bill is currently pending with the House committee on basic education and culture, but remains optimistic about its progress.
“With the Lower House taking a firm stand against fake news and misinformation, I am hopeful that my fellow legislators will prioritize this bill,” the lawmaker said.
Article continues after this advertisement
“Its passage is especially urgent as we approach the election season when a well-informed and discerning electorate is more critical than ever,” Vargas noted.
READ: 40 socmed users, platform reps invited to House fake news probe
A total of 40 social media personalities and representatives from various online platforms have been invited to the committee hearing on Tuesday, February 4, but only three attended and faced the House panel.
The attendees were lawyer Ricky Tomotorgo, columnist and Publicus Asia founder Malou Tiquia, and vlogger Marc Gamboa.
READ: Vloggers question House ‘fake news’ probe at SC
Out of the 37 who skipped the hearing, 13 filed a petition with the Supreme Court on the same day of the hearing, questioning the probe for being “unconstitutional.”
The petitioners were identified as former Presidential Communications Office chief Trixie Cruz-Angeles, former anti-insurgency task force spokesperson Lorraine Badoy-Partosa, and vloggers Mark Anthony Lopez, Ernesto Abines Jr., Ethel Pineda Garcia, Krizette Laureta Chu, Jonathan Morales, Aeron Pena, Nelson Guzmanos, Elizabeth Joie Cruz, Suzanne Batalla, Kester John Tan and George Ahmed Paglinawan.