Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No.__ 8511

Introduced by Representative MARIA VANESSA C. AUMENTADO.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

“The reading of all good books is like a
conversation with the finest minds of past
centuries.” — Rene Descartes (Philosopher, scientist
and mathematician)

Reading remains the main way to learn new things and to test
understanding. Although digital tools of learning are indispensable to
modern living, still, libraries provide both tangible and intangible
benefits to the people and continue to stay relevant in the society.
Public libraries remain central to the community as it can connect even
the most remote community to network of knowledge and information.

It is a declared policy of the state to promote the moral and
intellectual well-being of the people; elevate the literacy level of every
Filipino to the end that illiteracy is eradicated by the end of the century;
and recognizing the vital role of knowledge and information in nation-
building by establishing public libraries in every congressional district,
city and municipality, and reading centers in every barangay throughout
the Philippines.’

Indeed, public libraries provide resources that many people could
not otherwise afford — resources to live, learn, work and govern. They

* Republic Act 7743, Section 1

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are instrumental to the development and high literacy rate of the
Philippine society. Public libraries play a pivotal role in the facilitation of
socioeconomic development of the people by enabling access to
information, and also promote the social, political and personal well-
being of the citizenry.

This bill seeks to establish a modern congressional library and
museum in the Second District of Bohol, to be situated in the
Municipality of Ubay. As a modern public library, it shall not only lend
out reading materials and serve as repository of cultural assets of the
second district, it shall also function as venue for face-to-face seminars,
webinars, cultural appreciation activities, public WiFi hotspots access
and the likes. It also seeks to ensure the efficient and adequate delivery
of library and allied services thereby improving the education and
development of the people of the 2"¢ District of Bohol.

Also, the purpose of this measure is to ensure that the operational
expenses of the library are properly laid out in the annual
appropriations, and that the officers and employees thereof are within
the organizational structures of the National Library of the Philippines.

It is thus, that approval of this proposed measure is earnestly
requested.

MARIA vont C. AUMENTADO
Representative
Second (2"4) District, BOHOL

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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

NINETEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Session

House Bill No. 8511

Introduced by Representative MARIA VANESSA C. AUMENTADO

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING SECOND DISTRICT OF BOHOL CONGRESSIONAL
LIBRARY AND MUSEUM IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF UBAY,
PROVINCE OF BOHOL, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFORE

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the
Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Second District of Bohol Congressional Library and Museum.
— There shall be established in the Municipality of Ubay, Province
of Bohol the Second District of Bohol Congressional Library and
Museum, which shall be under the direct control and supervision of
the National Library of the Philippines (NLP).

SECTION 2. Access to Digital Information. -The congressional library
established by this act shall have at least twenty five (25) computer
units with access to the internet, which shall be used exclusively for
education and research purposes only. The used thereof shall be
free of charge to the public.

SECTION 3. Additional Functions. - In addition to the functions of Public
Libraries as stated in Section 6 of Republic Act No. 7743, the Second
District of Bohol Congressional Library shall also have the following
functions:

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a. To be used as venue for seminars, training modules, webinars,
and other activities with objectives that include but not limited
to:

1. Increase the functional literacy rate

2. Encourage a culture of reading, self-study and lifelong
learning;

3. Preserving local heritage and history; and

4. Promoting nationalism, socio-ci consciousness and
harmony through the local community.

b. To be a repository for cultural and historical assets of the
Second District of Bohol.

c. To serve as access point for free fast internet connectivity, in
line with the policies, programs, and projects of the Department
of Information and Communication (DICT).

d. To provide members of the community, especially students,
teachers, persons with disabilities (PWDs), senior citizens, and
out-of-school youth affordable and reliable services such as, but
not limited to, printing, scanning and photocopying.

SECTION 4. Appointment of Personnel. - The Director of the NLP shall

appoint a Librarian III, Librarian |, Computer Operator II, Computer
File Librarian I, Librarian Aide, Audio-Visual Equipment Operator II
and Watchman | (Security Guard) and such other personnel as may
be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act; provided, that,
all appointments shall be in accordance with the Civil Service Act
and its implementing rules and regulations; and provided further;
that, their salaries and allowances shall be in accordance with the
Salary Standardization Law and other applicable laws.

SECTION 5. Appropriations. - The sum of Ten Million Pesos (P10,

000,000.00) is hereby appropriated out of the National Treasury not
otherwise appropriated for the maintenance and operation of the
library for the current fiscal year. Thereafter, such sum as may be

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necessary for the purpose of this Act shall be included in the annual
General Appropriations Act.

SECTION 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations - Within sixty (60) days
from the effectivity of this Act, the NLP shall promulgate the
necessary rules and regulations for the proper implementation of
this Act.

SECTION 7. Repealing Clause - All laws, decrees, executive orders,
issuances, rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with
this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 8. Separability Clause - If any provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision not
affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 9. Effectivity Clause - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
from the date of the completion of its publication in the Official
Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

APPROVED,

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