13TH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
S. No. 
532 
INTRODUCED BY HON. MANUEL B. VILLAR JR. 
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 chancc for upward mobility through 
education not only by listening but also by reading. 
The compulsory education of children is the government'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. 


13TH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
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SENATE 
S. No. 
’’ 
532 
INTRODUCED BY HON. MANUEL B. VILLAR JR. 
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 known as the “Books for the Barrios Act of 2004.” 
SEC. 2. 
Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to give the 
Filipino youth, particularly in remote areas, the chance for upward mobility through education 
not only by listening but also by reading. Towards this end, all public schools and libraries in 
remote barangays shall be provided with books under the Books for the Barrios Program. 
SEC. 3. Books for the Barrios Program. - There shall be established under the Department of 
Education, Culture and Sports (DECS), the Books for the Barrios Program, hereinafter referred 
to as the Program. For this purpose, the instructional materials council secretariat of the DECS 
shall be in-charged of the program and shall have the following additional functions: 
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Prepare a list of all public schools and libraries throughout the country and regularly 
update the same; 
Formulate guidelines and standards for availment of the benefits under the Program; 
Accept and issue receipts for donations of books, magazines and other educational 
materials for distribution to qualified schools and libraries; 
(b) 
(c> 
(dl 
Designate non-government organizations which may solicit book donations or 
distribute books and other educational materials under its supervision; 


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(e) 
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. 
(0 
SEC. 4. 
Scope and Coverage of the Program. - All elementary and secondary public schools 
and public libraries in remote barangays throughout the country shall be entitled to the benefits 
offered by the Program: Provided, That public schools shall be required to establish their own 
libraries: Provided, further, That private schools and libraries in remote barangays may avail of 
the benefits under the Program subject to the guidelines and standards as may be prescribed by 
the DECS. 
SEC. 5. 
Mechanics of the Program. - (a) The DECS shall introduce the Program through 
the different government offices, agencies and institutions, the state colleges and universities, 
non-government organizations and private establishments which shall solicit from their officials, 
employees and members donation of used books, magazines and other educational materials; 
(b) 
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The DECS may also solicit books from foreign sources; 
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; 
Nongovernment organizations as may be designated by the DECS shall be authorized to 
solicit and distribute book donations in accordance with the guidelines as may be 
formulated by the DECS: Provided, That reports shall be submitted to the DECS 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 DECS in accordance with 
the guidelines as may be formulated for the Program; 
(dl 
(e) 
SEC. 6. 
Annual Report. - The DECS shall submit an annual report to the President of the 
Philippines and the Congress on the implementation of the Program which shall include the 
number of books and other educational materials solicited and distributed and the beneficiaries 
thereof. 


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SEC. 7. 
and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act. 
SEC. 8. 
Appropriations. - The amount necessary to initially implement the Program shall be 
charged against the current year’s appropriations of the instructional materials council secretariat 
of the Department of Education, Culture and Sports. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary 
for the continued implementation of the Books for the Barrios Program shall be included in the 
annual General Appropriations Act. 
SEC. 9. 
inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly. 
SEC. 10. 
Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect upon its approval. 
Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The DECS shall issue the necessary rules 
Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or parts thereof 
Approved,