Marikina City First District Rep. Marcelino "Marcy" Teodoro is pushing for the creation of tech-enabled public schools to ensure that all learners can thrive in the digital age.

On 2 July, Teodoro filed House Bill No. 1255, which proposes the establishment of Public Schools of the Future in Technology or PSOFT.

The measure aims to close the digital divide by giving public school students access to laptops, internet connectivity, and smart classrooms — tools that remain inaccessible to many children across the country.

“Digital technology has become an indispensable tool in almost all facets of human activity,” Teodoro said in the bill’s explanatory note. “The reach of technology has become pervasive, with computers and other devices of digital technology becoming ubiquitous.”

Teodoro warned that without immediate action, Filipino students could fall behind — not due to a lack of intelligence or drive — but due to limited access to essential digital tools that are considered standard elsewhere.

“Access to digital technology and the skills to leverage it will increasingly influence our children’s future ability to earn a living,” the lawmaker added.

Under the bill, students enrolled in PSOFT schools would receive individual laptops, participate in digitally equipped classes, and learn using interactive boards, online platforms, and other modern learning tools.

Teodoro also noted that the proposal could particularly benefit children in conflict zones, remote areas, and those with physical disabilities who struggle to attend in-person classes.

“Trainings on digital technology will bring equal opportunities for children in remote areas, conflict areas and even those who have disability to be present physically in the traditional schools,” he said.

“Digital technology can also increase motivation for learning by making it more fun and by providing children with access to high quality educational content, including textbooks and video materials,” the lawmaker added.

Teodoro emphasized that PSOFT is not merely about modernizing schools, but about ensuring every Filipino child has a fair chance at future success.

The proposed legislation aligns with President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.’s broader vision of a fully digitalized Philippines.

House Bill No. 1255 supports the President’s call for wider digital access and future-ready skills by pushing for school-based digital infrastructure that includes laptops, internet, and smart classrooms.