13* CONGRESS OF T l E  REPUBLIC ) 
OF THE PHILPPINES 
1 
'84 
JUJUM 30 Pi0 :'I 3 
First Regular Session 
) 
82 
SENAIlj 
S. No. 
Introduced by Senator Magsaysay, Jr. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill seeks to establish a Philippine Library of Congress to be fittingly 
referred to as the JOSE RIZAL LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, which would be 
constituted by a wide array of literature linking us to the past while gluing us to the 
present. It would include not only statute books or accounts of Congressional 
proceedings of all our forms of governance, but would cover a comprehensive 
collection of historical and judicial documents, case laws, jurisprudence, research 
materials in many formats, books and pamphlets on every subject in various dialects 
and languages, maps, encyclopedias, photographs, motion pictures, video Sound and 
audio recordings and all other readings universal in scope covering art, science, 
history, technology, entertainment and the like. 
Having observed the centennial of our independence in 1998, it would be 
opportune and fitting for us to consolidate the events of our history and preserve 
them for posterity. This can only be achieved by the establishment of a library 
which will serve not only as a testimony of our Stimulus to the questioning minds of 
our people who would like to be connected to the past an(] be attuned to the present. 
Such a need would be answered by a library which provides continuing stimulus to 
the intellect. 
In this era of globalization and competition, there is a compelling need to 
provide easy access to our people who need to update their knowledge, information 
and training to make them more productive and competitive. This need can be 
answered by a library established by government with philantrophic support in the 
form of grants, donations and bequests. 
It is time that attention be given to our libraries for not only would a library 
serve to catalyze and update knowledge, but serves as an enduring institution into 
~ 
intellectual empowerment. 
Approval of this bill is therefor earnestly recommended. 


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13* CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
OF THE PHlLIPPINES ) 
"04 &N 30 
3 3 
n
,
 
First Regular Session 
1 
Introduced by Senator Magsaysay, Jr. 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING A P " E  
dIBJURY OF CONGRESS TO BE KNOWN AS 
THE "JOSE RJZAL LIBRARY OF CONGRESS", AND APPROPRIATING 
FUNDS THEREFORE. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Title. This Act shall be known as the "Jose Rizal Library of 
Congress Act of 2004". 
SEC. 2. Establishment of the Philippine Library of Congress. - The Philippine 
Library of Congress is hereby established to serve both House of the Congress of the 
Philippines including the entire governmental establishment and the public at large. 
SEC. 3. Role of the Phizippine Library of Congress. - The Philippine Library of 
Congress shall in addition to the selection of statutes, legislature enactments, journals of 
Congressional proceedings, Constitutional deliberations and historica1 accounts of 
Philippine governance, publications and other relevant references materials, judicial or 
court reports, provide extensive collections universal in scope which shall include books, 
serials and pamphlets on every Subject and in a multitude of different dialects and 
languages, and research materials in many formats, including encyclopedias, dictionaries, 
maps, photographs, manuscripts, motion pictures, videos, sounds and audio recordings, 
publications, jurisprudential reports, case laws, historical, contemporary accounts of other 
Countries and Of universal or international forums or organizations. 
SEC. 4. 
Creation of an Oversight Committee. - A Congressional Oversight 
Committee, to be known as the Joint Committee on the Philippine Library of Congress is 
hereby created to plan for the constitution of the library created by this Act and the 
organization and the management thereof It shall be composed of the Senate and the 
House of Representatives, the Senate President, the Speaker of,the House, the Secretary 
of the Department of Education, Culture and Sports, and the Secretary of Budget and 
Management. 
SEC. 5. 
Period of Implementation. - The plan of implementation shall cover 
a period of one (1) year from the approval of this Act. 
SEC. 6. 
Public Funding and Private Philanthropic Support. - The Philippine 
Library of Congress shall be authorized to receive and accept gib, donations, bequests and 
transfers of property, money, or books for the use and benefit of said Philippine library. 
SEC. 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 


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SEC. 8. Submission to Congress. - Within ninety (90) days from the approval of 
this Act, and at the end of every calendar year thereafter, the Librarians of both House of 
Congress shall jointly submit progress reports to each House of Congress on the 
implementation of this Act. 
SEC. 9. Implementing Rules and Regul&ons. - Within sixty (60) days from the 
approval of this Act, the Joint committee created under this Act shall promulgate the 
implementing rules and regulations. 
SEC. 10. Repealng CZause. - All Acts, presidential decrees, executive orders and 
issuances inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly. 
SEC. 11. Separability CZause. - If any provisions of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional or inoperative, the other provisions not so declared shall remain. 
SEC. 12. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Oficial Gazette or in newspaper of general circulation. 
. 
Approved,