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Republic of the Philippings —ggg=q SE WILES

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

Qn a= ini STON
House Bill No.8 00 REPISTRATION US
BILLS aNd WOE

Introduced by Representative ALFRED VARGAS

EXPLANATORY NOTE

ries play a vital role in the national and social development of our
citizens, Libraries contribute to the improvement of literacy in the country, enable easy
access to information and information technology, help deepen one’s rootedness in the
community, and facilitate the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage. If
properly supported, public libraries provide the people with access to resources which
can help improve their intellectual, economic, and social well-being.

Public libs

‘This bill seeks to establish a public library in every city or municipality of the
Philippines. Through this, we are closing the gap between the citizens - the children, the
youth, the vulnerable and marginalized, the entrepreneur, or the scientist ~ and their
access to information, thereby empowering people to expand their knowledge, meet
their information needs, and unleash their potential.

As we are now in the modern era of information literacy, the State must
recognize the immense potential of public libraries as partners in the development of a
strong nation.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

LFRED VARGAS


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

502
HOUSE BILL NOB Oe

Introduced by Representative ALFRED VARGAS

AN ACT.

MANDATING THE NATIONWIDE ESTABLISHMENT OF A PUBLIC LIBRARY IN EACH
CITY AND MUNICIPALITY

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

SECTION 1.Nationwide Establishment of Public Libraries. - There shall be

established a public library in each city and municipality throughout the country.

SECTION 2./mplementing Agencies, - The Department of Interior and Local

Government and the Department of Education, through the Local School Board, shall be
the main agencies in charge of the implementation of this Act.

SECTION 3.The Library Building and Personnel,
1. The city or municipality concerned shall either:

a, Renovate and occupy an unoccupied room, hall or ground of the City or
Municipal Hall or any government establishment and construct the public
library thereof; or

b. Purchase and renovate a building situated in the city or a municipality where
the library will be constructed: Provided, That the building shall be procured
from the available properties of the local government. Provided, Further, that,
if there is no available property, the local government concerned shall enjoin
the private sector in granting a piece of land for the purpose through
Sangguniang Bayan resolutions and subject to the payment of just
compensation; or

c. Purchase a land situated in the city or a municipality where the library will be
constructed: Provided, Thatthe land shall be procured from the available
properties of the local government concerned. Provided, Further, that, if there
is no available property, the local government shall enjoin the private sector
in granting a piece of land for the purpose through Sangguniang Bayan
resolutions and subject to the payment of just compensation.


2, The public library shall have at least three (3) personnel, one (1) head librarian
and two (2) assistant librarians.

SECTION 4.Appropriations. To carry out the provisions of this Act, there shall be
an amount appropriated from the funds of the national treasury not otherwise
appropriated: Provided, that they were funds of the Department of Education,
Department of the Interior and Local Government, and the Department of Social
Welfare and Development, Thereafter, such sum as may be necessary for the continued
implementation of this program shall be included in the annual General Appropriations
Act as part of the budget of the Department of Interior and Local Government through
the Local School Board

SECTION S.Repealing Clause, ~ All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,
rules and regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby amended and repealed
accordingly.

SECTION 6.£ffectivity Clause. ~ This Act shall take effect within fifteen (15) days
after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general publication.

Approved,