Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No.__ 614

Introduced by Representative ANTONINO B, ROMAN III

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Philippines continues to face an alarming education crisis. In the 2022 Programme
for International Student Assessment (PISA) conducted among 15-year-old students from 81
countries, the Philippines ranked 77th in reading, 78th in mathematics, and 76th in science --
near the global bottom. Despite serious reading challenges, many students are promoted year
after year, deepening the quality gap in basic education.

One overlooked factor is the dismal compliance with Republic Act No. 7743, which
mandates the establishment of public libraries in every congressional district, city, and
municipality. According to a 2019 study by the National Library of the Philippines, only 3%
of the required number of public libraries have been established nationwide.

Despite the increasing availability of e-books, there remains a need and preference for
printed books, particularly in communities with slow and unreliable intemet connections.
Meanwhile, neighboring countries in Southeast Asia continue to improve their educational
systems through infrastructure, training, and digital access.

This bill aims to revitalize and modernize the intent of R.A. No. 7743 by establishing
Multi-Purpose Innovation and Learning Hubs (MILHs) in clustered municipalities or
component cities, thus maximizing resource efficiency and minimizing duplication. These hubs
will combine physical libraries, digital learning access, and innovation support facilities, while
also promoting entrepreneurship and startup ecosystem development in line with Republic Act
No. 11337 or the Innovative Startup Act.

Implementation shall follow a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach,
leveraging public-private partnerships (PPPs) and incentivizing local government participation
through the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG).

ANTGNINO B. ROMAN IIT


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No,__ 614

Introduced by Representative ANTONINO B. ROMAN HL

AN ACT
REQUIRING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF MULTI-PURPOSE INNOVATION AND
LEARNING HUBS IN CLUSTERED MUNICIPALITIES OR COMPONENT CITIES,
THROUGH INTER-AGENCY AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT COLLABORATION,
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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 “Innovation and Learning Hubs Act of
2025.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is the policy of the State to promote inclusive, future-ready
learning ecosystems by ensuring access to knowledge, skills training, and digital literacy for
all Filipinos. The State shall invest in local learning and innovation infrastructure to close the
education gap, support community development, and foster innovation.

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. -

a. Multi-Purpose Innovation and Learning Hub (MILH) — A facility that provides access
to printed and digital learning resources, digital literacy tools, innovation programs, and
startup development support.

b. Clustered Municipalities or Component Cities ~ Two or more geographically proximate
LGUs sharing a single MILH for cost-efficiency and equitable access.

c. Startup Ecosystem Support ~ Programs or resources aligned with R.A. No. 11337 that
promote innovation, entrepreneurship, and tech capability-building at the community
level.


SEC. 4, Mandate. -- At least one (1) Multi-Purpose Innovation and Learning Hub (MILH)
shall be established per cluster of municipalities or component cities, giving priority to
underserved, high-poverty, conflict-affected, or geographically isolated areas. The
establishment shall revitalize and operationalize dormant mandates under Republic Act No.
7743, updated with modem tools and shared digital infrastructure.

SEC. 5. Implementing Agencies. ~ The following government agencies shall jointly
implement this Act, under the coordination of the Department of Education (DepEd) as the
ead agency:

a. Department of Education (DepEd) ~ Lead agency, responsible for overall program
coordination, content oversight, and monitoring;

b. Commission on Higher Education (CHED) — to provide higher education materials and
learning integration;

c. National Library of the Philippines (NLP) — to assist in library integration and training;

d. Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) — to provide
digital infrastructure and connectivity;

e. Department of Science and Technology (DOST) ~ for innovation components and
learning kits;

f. Department of Trade and Industry (DT!) — to provide startup support components under
R.A. No. 11337;

g. Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) — to coordinate with LGUs;

h. Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center — to assist in soli
NGO partnerships; and

ing private investments and

i. Local Government Units (LGUs) — to provide land, infrastructure, counterpart funding,
and local staff. In cases of LGU incapacity or non-participation, the national
government may directly implement the Hub with DILG facilitation.

SEC. 6. Core Features of the MILH. - Each MILH shall include, at a minimum:

a. Reading and Lending Library — with books and other reading materials, reading areas
and study desks, and lending service;

b. Digital Learning Center ~ with computers or tablets with internet access, access to e-
books, open educational resources, online learning platforms, and DICT-provided
digital literacy modules:

¢. Innovation and Startup Comer — with tools and modules to provide early-stage
innovation and entrepreneurial skills in line with R.A. No. 11337, and with shared
workspaces, private cubicles or team rooms, common areas, and lounge;

d. Training and Community Learning Area — with multi-use space for seminars.
workshops, tutorials, and career, financial, and tech skill learning sessions:


e. Outreach Capability (if fixed hubs are not yet viable) — with mobile hubs or kiosks
serving remote barangays, and community partnerships for off-site services;

f. Accessibility Features -- to ensure participation by persons with disabilities; and

g. Monitoring System — using digital logbooks and analytics to assess community impact
and usage.

SEC. 7. Frugal and Strategie Implementation. ~ To minimize costs and expand reach:

a. Repurpose existing public infrastructure such as unused LGU buildings, schools during
weekends, or barangay halls;

b. Maximize open-source educational software and free platforms like DepEd Commons
and TESDA Online:

c. Encourage volunteerism and community librarianship, including student interns,
retirees, and civic organizations: and

d. Engage the private sector, Civil Service Organizations (CSOs), and NGOs to sponsor

equipment, content, or staffing.

e. Require implementing agencies and participating LGUs to prepare a five-year
sustainability plan for each hub.

SEC. 8. Incentives for LGU Participation. — LGUs that actively support MILHs shall be
eligible for additional SGLG points, national awards, grant programs, and technical assistance.
The DILG and oversight body shall establish incentive guidelines.

SEC. 9. Monitoring and Reporting. — An inter-agency oversight body, led by DepEd, shall
monitor implementation and submit an annual report to Congress detailing:

a. Number of operational hubs;

b. Learner access metrics:

c. Digital and startup activity;

d. Impact on education and innovation: and

e. Implementation challenges and funding status.

Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound (SMART) indicators shall be
developed and included in the IRR.

SEC. 10. Review Clause. — Five (5) years after the effectivity of this Act, the oversight body
shall evaluate its implementation and submit recommendations to Congress regarding its
expansion, revision, or sunset.

SEC. 11. Private Sector Participation. — Donations or sponsorships made by private entities
for the establishment, operation, or expansion of MILHs shall be eligible for tax deductibility
in accordance with existing laws. The PPP Center and DTI shall issue guidelines for
recognition and incentives.


SEC. 12. Appropriations. — The initial implementation shall be funded by existing
appropriations of implementing agencies. Subsequent funding shall be included in the General
Appropriations Act under a dedicated budget item.

SEC. 13. Implementing Rules and Regulations. ~ The IRR shall be promulgated within
ninety (90) days by DepEd, in consultation with implementing agencies, LGUs, and key
stakeholders

SEC. 14. Repealing Clause. — All inconsistent laws, decrees, executive orders, and rules are
repealed or amended accordingly.

— This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,