L 
\- 
, 
..~. 
THIRTEENTH CONGRESS 
1 
OF THE PHILIPPINE 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
s. No. 
Introduced by Senator S. R. OsmeAa Ill 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Most Filipinos take pride in the finding that 92.3% of their countrymen 
above 10 years old know how to read and write. What this figure seems to.hide, 
however, is the fact that illiterates number four (4) million, and that many of them 
belong to marginalized sectors of the society, like cultural minorities, which have 
very little or no access to education and other social services. This means that 
millions of our countrymen are denied the social mobility and opportunity which 
education is universally touted to bring, simply because of the failure of our 
educational system to accommodate the particular circumstances of those who 
cannot avail of formal education. 
There is a need to underscore the importance of non-formal education, 
i.e. , organized educational activity outside the formal school system, especially in 
the rural areas, based on the principle that education must be anchored in 
communities and related to the situation of its participants. 
The pursuit of a policy to eradicate illiteracy should receive the unqualified 
and immediate support of the Government. Toward this end, it is proposed that 
reading centers be established for every barangay in the whole archipelago, 
starting with those situated in remote, isolated and rural areas. These reading 
centers should be able to provide the members of the community with a wide 
array of reading materials, including national and local newspapers. In addition, 
the reading centers can function as the needed nationwide infrastructure of our 
non-formal education system. Through the centers, remedial classes on reading 
for the benefit of communities can take place. 
The libraries and reading centers shall be important tools in preventing 
and addressing the illiteracy problem. In addition, they serve as vital sources of 
learning and information needs of the community. Through its public service, 
libraries and reading centers can help bridge the gap between the academically 
high and poor achievers. 
Literacy is a key that unlocks the door to progress. The link between 
literacy rates and socio-economic development makes it imperative for the 
country to eradicate illiteracy and raise the levels of literacy of its citizens as an 
important step towards building a strong republic. it is the duty of the State to 
support the eradication of illiteracy and the improvement of the levels of literacy 


of its citizens in terms of policy, resources and programs geared to literacy 
develop men ts . 
In view of the foregoing, early passage of this bill is earnestly requested. 
ER 
SNIE~A 
111 
Senator 


THIRTEENTH CONGRE 
1 
OF THE PHILIPPINE 
1 
First Regular Session 
i 
E N A T  
. No. 
Introduced by Senator S. 
AN ACT 
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7743, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS “AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF CONGRESSIONAL, CITY, AND 
MUNICIPAL 
LIBRARIES 
AND 
BARANGAY 
READING 
CENTERS 
THROUGHOUT THE PHILIPPINES, 
THE NECESSARY 
FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
1 
SECTION 1. 
Section 6 of Republic Act No. 7743, is hereby 
2 
amended to read as follows: . 
.. . 
~ 
3 
“Section 6. Functions of the Public Libraries and Barangay 
4 
Reading Centers 
5 
The public libraries and barangay reading centers shall have 
6 
the following functions: 
7 
a) 
to make available to the members of the community reading 
8 
material of wide array, including reading materials prescribed by the 
9 
Department of Education, and national newspapers of general 
10 
circulation and others; 
11 
b) 
to be used as a venue for audio-visual presentation in the 
12 
community and other kinds of exhibitions and activities aimed at 
13 
increasing the literacy rate by government agencies, non- 
14 
governmental organizations or private entities in the dissemination 


.
.
 
1 
of information of general interest. IN CASE OF “REMOTE” AND 
2 
“ISOLATED” BARANGAYS, SUCH ACTIVITIES SHALL INCLUDE 
3 
THE OFFERING OF REMEDIAL READING CLASSES FOR 
4 
c) 
MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY; AND [and] 
5 
d) 
to offer such other related services in furtherance of this 
6 
Act. ” 
7 
SEC. 2. Separability Clause. - If any section or provision of this Act is 
8 
declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions not affected 
9 
thereby shall continue to be in force and effect. 
10 
SEC. 3. Repealing Clause. - All decrees, acts, rules and regulations, 
11 
inconsistent therewith are repealed or modified accordingly. 
12 
SEC. 4. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
13 
14 
Approved, 
after its publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation. 
v 
’. . 
.