Roman’s “Digital Teaching Excellence Act” tackles teacher training gaps in Congress hearing

The House of Representatives this week held committee deliberations on House Bill 607, or the “Digital Teaching Excellence Act,” authored by Bataan First District Rep. Antonino “Tony” Roman III. The measure aims to strengthen digital and project-based learning in public schools by establishing a structured national training and certification program for teachers.

During the hearing, lawmakers underscored the need for consistent and accessible professional development for educators, noting that the transition to online and blended learning during the pandemic exposed wide gaps in digital teaching skills. HB 607 seeks to institutionalize a comprehensive approach, ensuring that public school teachers receive up-to-date training aligned with modern classroom needs.

The bill mandates that training modules be offered through readily available government platforms, including DepEd Commons, TESDA Online, and other accredited e-learning systems. The Department of Education, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Department of Information and Communications Technology, and the Professional Regulation Commission are designated as implementing agencies responsible for certification and the issuance of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) units.

According to the measure’s explanatory note, the proposed program would cover key competencies such as digital pedagogy, safe and ethical use of technology, data privacy compliance, accessibility for learners with disabilities, and student-centered, project-based teaching methods. It also requires regular monitoring, evaluation, and progress reporting to ensure accountability and continuous improvement of the program.

HB 607 now remains under committee review as agencies, teacher groups, and other stakeholders prepare their recommendations on budget requirements, rollout strategies, and digital infrastructure needs — particularly for teachers in remote and underserved areas. Rep. Roman emphasized that the initiative aims to provide Filipino learners with better opportunities by equipping educators with the tools needed for a future-ready education system.