SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 2574 
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INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
'. 'i 
,JAN 20 P 1 '58 
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", AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
One of the trends that go hand in hand with the phenomenon of 
globalization is the promotion of the use of information technology in various 
fields such as business, media, communication and education. With information 
technology, learning is no longer restricted within the four walls of the classroom, 
nor is it limited to the use of books and magazines. 
Republic Act No. 7743 was enacted specifically to put up libraries andlor 
reading centers in every city, municipality and barangay in order to boost the 
literacy rate of our citizenry. A number of years have passed already but the 
intent of the law has yet to be fully implemented. 
However, there is a need to upgrade our learning system such that every 
learning and reading center will employ the latest computer and electronic library 
technology in order to best serve our fellowmen. 
In view of the foregoing considerations early passage of this bill is 
earnestly sought. 
OY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
Senator 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 257 4 
T; 
JAH 20 PI :58 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7143, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS "AN 
ACT PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF CONGRESSIONAL, 
CITY, 
AND 
MUNICIPAL LIBRARIES 
AND 
BARANGAY READING 
CENTERS THROUGHOUT THE 
PHILIPPINES", AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Section 2 of RA 7743 is hereby amended to read as 
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follows: 
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"Section 2. Establishment of Public Libraries and Reading 
Centers. - The National Library in coordination with the 
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) 
shall undertake the establishment of additional public 
libraries to serve all congressional districts, cities and 
municipalities in the Philippines and reading centers in 
every barangay except in cities or municipalities where 
there are existing public libraries or in barangays where 
there are existing public libraries or In barangays where 
there are existing reading centers: Provided, That the 
establishment program of the National Library BASED ON 
THE LATEST COMPUTER AND ELECTRONIC LIBRARY 
TECHNOLOGY in coordination with the development 
council of each city or municipality and in the case of the 
barangay reading centers, in coordination with the 
respective barangay councils: Provided, further, That 
where these public libraries and reading centers already 
exist, the National Library shall continue to upgrade the 
facilities thereof. [.J WITH COMPLETE STANDARD SETS 
OF BOOKS AND OTHER MATERIALS AS PROVIDED 
UNDER SEC. 3 OF THIS ACT AS WELL AS THE 
LATEST 
ELECTRONIC LIBRARY SYSTEM USING 
COMPUTERS FOR STORING, CATALOGING, AND 
FILING OF DATA AND 
MATERIALS: 
PROVIDED, 
FINALLY, THAT BY THE YEAR 2015, ALL THE CITIES 
AND MUNICIPALITIES OF THE PHILIPPINES WILL BE 


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PROVIDED 
WITH 
LIBRARY SYSTEM." 
ELECTRONICALLY-OPERATED 
SEC. 2. Section 7 of RA 7743 is hereby amended to read as follows: 
"Section 7. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to 
carry out the provisions of this Act shall be included in the 
General Appropriations Act of the year following its 
enactment into law [and for the next five (5) years: 
thereafter this local government units shall undertake the 
maintenance of public libraries and reading centers while 
the National Library shall continue to provide reading 
materials and supplies to the said libraries and reading 
centers]. IN ORDER TO PROVIDE FUNDS NECESSARY 
FOR THE ELECTRONIC LIBRARY SYSTEM TO BE 
IMPLEMENTED, THE BUDGET OF THE NATIONAL 
LIBRARY SHALL BE INCREASED IN THE AMOUNT OF 
FIVE HUNDRED MILLION PESOS (P500,000,000.00) 
PER YEAR UNTIL ALL CITIES AND MUNICIPALITIES IN 
THE 
PHILIPPINES 
ARE 
PROVIDED 
AND 
HAVE 
ACCESS 
TO 
FULL 
ELECTRONIC 
LIBRARY 
FACILITIES." 
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SEC. 3. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and 
27 regulations, or portions thereof, inconsistent with this Act are herby repealed 
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SEC. 4. Effectivity. This Act take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
complete publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,