FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 1059 
INTRODUCED BY HON. MANNY VILLAR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill seeks to establish the "Books For the Barrios Program" to give the 
Filipino youth, particularly those living in remote barangays, the chance for upward 
mobility through education not only by listening but also by reading. 
The compulsory education of children is the govemment's responsibility. As a 
Constitutional mandate, the government has always given priority to education. But the 
necessity of having books as a tool for better education seems to have been 
overlooked. Most public elementary and secondary schools in remote barangays do not 
have a library or even a small reading area in the school premises for the simple reason 
that there are very few books or any reading material available. 
Education is not only about learning how to read and write, it should be a 
continuous infusion of knowledge and information. Only by providing the environment 
for a steady process of intellectual growth gained through reading can the government 
truly achieve the objective of an effective education. 
Approval of this bill is earnestly urged. 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 1059 
INTRODUCED BY HON. MANNY VILLAR 
AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE BOOKS FOR' THE BARRIOS PROGRAM AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. 
Title. - This Act shall be knowh as the "Books for the Barrios Act." 
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SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to give 
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the Filipino youth, particularly in remote areas, the chance for upward mobility through 
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education not only by listening but also by reading. Towards this end, all public schools 
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and libraries in remote barangays shall be provided with books under the Books for the 
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Barrios Program. 
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SEC. 3. 
Books for the Barrios Program. - There shall be established under 
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the Department of Education (DepEd), the Books for the Barrios Program, hereinafter 
9. referred to as the Program. For this purpose, the instructional materials council 
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secretariat of the DepEd shall be in-charged of the program and shall have the following 
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additional functions: 
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(a) 
Prepare a list of all public schools and .libraries throughout the country and 
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regularly update the same; 
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(b) 
Formulate guidelines and standards for ~vailment of the benefits under the 
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Program; 
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(c) 
Accept and issue receipts for donations of books, magazines and other 
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educational materials for distribution to qualified schools and libraries; 
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(d) 
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(e) 
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(f) 
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Designate non-government organizations which may solicit book donations or 
distribute books and other educational materials under its supervision; 
Make an inventory every three (3) months of all the books and other 
educational materials under its supervision; and 
Perform such other functions as may be necessary for the effective 
implementation of the Program. 
SEC. 4. 
Scope and Coverage of the Program. -
All elementary and 
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secondary public schools and public libraries in remote barangays throughout the 
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country shall be entitled to the benefits offered by the Program: Provided, That public 
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schools shall be required to establish their own libraries: Provided, further, That private 
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schools and libraries in remote barangays may avail of the benefits under the Program 
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subject to the guidelines and standards as may be prescribed by the DepEd. 
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SEC. 5. 
Mechanics of the Program. -;- (a) The DepEd shall introduce the 
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Program through the different government offices, agencies and institutions, the state 
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colleges and universities, non-government orga~izations and private establishments 
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which shall solicit from their officials, employees and members donation of used books, 
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magazines and other educational materials; 
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(b) 
The DepEd may also solicit books from foreign sources; 
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(c) 
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(d) 
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(e) 
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At the end of every school year, all graduates from all levels shall be 
encouraged to donate their books and other educational materials to the 
Program; 
Non-government organizations as may be designated by the DepEd shall be 
authorized to solicit and distribute book donations in accordance with the 
guidelines as may be formulated by the DepEd: Provided, That reports shall be 
submitted to the DepEd as to the manner and number of books received and 
distributed; and 
The books and educational materials. received shall be inventoried and 
distributed to qualified schools and libraries as may be determined by the 
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OepEd in accordance with the guidelines as may be formulated for the 
Program; 
SEC. 6. 
Annual Report. - The DepEd shall submit an annual report to the 
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President of the Philippines and the Congress on the implementation of the Program 
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which shall include the number of books and other educational materials solicited and 
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distributed and the beneficiaries thereof. 
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SEC. 7. 
Implementing Rules and Reg&lations. - The DepEd shall issue the 
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necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act. 
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SEC. 8. 
Appropriations. - The amount necessary to initially implement the 
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Program shall be charged against the current year's appropriations of the DepEd. 
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Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the continued implementation of the 
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Books for the Barrios Program shall be included in the annual General Appropriations 
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Act. 
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SEC. 9. 
Repealing Clause. -
All laws, decrees, orders, rules and 
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regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or amended 
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accordingly. 
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SEC. 10. 
Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect upon its approval. 
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Approved, 
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