EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS D
OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session 1)

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
House Bill N £131

Introduced by Representative Virgilio S. Lacson

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Article II, Section 17 of the 1987 Constitution provides that, “The State shall give
Priority to education, science and technology, arts, culture, and sports to foster
patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social Progress, and promote total human
liberation and development”,

Likewise, in Article XIV, Section 1 of the 1987 Constitution further Provides that,
“The State shall protect and Promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all
levels, and shall take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all
students. From these provisions enshrined in the Constitution, the State recognizes the
Vital role of quality education in nation-building and must Promote modern digital
libraries and making it accessible and available in all public schools”.

learning environment of students and contribute competitive advancement in
information and communications technology in their studies,

This measure seeks to establish e-libraries in all Public schools across the
country that will provide adequate materials to equipped the needs of the Filipino

students and researchers.

In view of the foregoing, immediate Passage of the bill is earnestly sought.

oo
VIRGILIO S{ LACSON
Manila Teachers Party List


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS )
OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
4131

House Bill

Introduced by Representative Virgilio S. Lacson

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF E-LIBRARIES IN ALL
PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN THE PHILIPPINES AND PROVIDING FUNDS
THEREFOR

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

Section 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as “E-Library Act.”

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. — The State shall ensure that the citizens are
literate and are provided access to learning materials available and shared in various
digitalized platform.

The State shall also provide its citizens the opportunity to enhance their
individual capabilities and learning experience through adapting the developments in
information and communications technology in the learning process by providing
access to educational materials available online.

Sec. 3. Philippine E-Library. — The Department of Education (DepEd),
Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Technical Skills Development Authority
(TESDA), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Information
and Communication Technology (DICT) in partnership with the National Library of the
Philippines and other concerned government agencies shall develop an online
repository system that contains educational materials and digitized copies of books and
publications suitable for Filipino students and researchers that shall complement
learning experience acquired through textbook and reference books given to the
students.


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Sec. 4. Internet Access. ~ The Department of Education shall ensure access to the
online repository system by providing computers or electronic tablets or terminals all
primary and secondary public schools nationwide.

In order to ensure access to the online Tepository system, the Department of
Information and Communications Technology shall provide fast and reliable internet
access to all e-libraries in all public schools.

Sec. 5. Appropriations. — The initial amount of Five Hundred Million
(Php500,000,000.00) shall be appropriated for the implementations of this Act and
shall be managed by the Department of Education and the Department of Information
and Communications Technology.

An annual budget of One Hundred Million Pesos (Php100,000,000.00) will be
included in the annual budget of the Department of Education to make sure that the
technologies needed for the implementation of this Act will be maintained.

Sec. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The Department of Education,
the Department of Information and Communications Technology and the National
Library of the Philippines shall issue the implementing rules and regulations to
implement the provisions of this Act within one hundred and twenty (120) days from
the effectivity of this Act.

Sec. 7. Separability Clause. — If any provision or Portion of this Act is declared
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision not thereby affected shall
remain in full force and effect.

Sec. 8. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, ordinances, rules,
regulations, and other issuances, or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with any
Provision of this Act, are hereby repealed, amended, and/or modified accordingly.

Sec. 9. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (a5) days after its publication
in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,