One of the trends that go  hand  in  hand with the phenomenon of globalization  is the
promotion  of the  use  of information  technology  in  various  fields  such  as  business,  media,
communication and education.   With  information technology,  learning  is no longer restricted
within the four walls of the classroom, nor is it limited to the use of books and magazines.
Republic  Act  No.  7743  was  enacted  specifically  to  put  up  libraries  and/or  reading
centers  in  every  city,  municipality  and  barangay  in  order to  boost  the  literacy  rate  of our
citizenry.     A number of years  have  passed  already but the  intent of the law has yet to  be
fully implemented.
However,  there  is  a  need  to  upgrade  our learning  system  such  that every  learning
and  reading center will employ the latest computer and electronic library technology in order
to best serve our fellowmen.
In view of the foregoing considerations early passage of this bill is earnestly sought.


NINETEENTH CONGRESS                  )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES    )
First Regular session                           )
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Introduced by Representative Rufus a. Rodriguez
House Bill No.  5 3 4 8
AN ACT
AMENDING  REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7743, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS ``AN ACT PROVIDING
FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF CONGRESSIONAL, CITY, AND MUNICIPAL LIBRARIES
AND  BARANGAY  READING  CENTERS  THROUGHOUT THE  PHILIPPINES'',  AND  FOR
OTHER PURPOSES.
Be it enacted  by the Senate and  House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:
SECTION 1.  Section 2 of RA 7743 is hereby amended to read as follows:
Sechon   2.       Establishment   of   Public   Libraries   and   Reading
Centers.-The National Library in coordination with the Department
of the  Interior and  Local  Government  (DILG)  shall  undertake  the
establishment     of     additional     public     libraries     to     serve     all
congressional  districts,  cities  and  municipalities  in  the  Philippines
and   reading   centers   in   every   barangay   except   in   cities   or
municipalities   where   there   are   existing   public   libraries   or   in
barangays    where    there    are    existing    public    libraries    or    in
barangays    where  there  are  existing  reading  centers:  Provided,
That  the  establishment  program  of the  National  Library  shall  be
BASED   ON   THE   LATEST   COMPUTER   AND   ELECTRONIC
LIBRARY  TECHNOLOGY  in  coordination  with  the  development
council of each city or municipality and in the case of the barangay
reading   centers,   in   coordination   with   the   respective   barangay
councils:  Provided,  Further,  That where these  public libraries and
reading  centers  already exist,  the  National  Library  shall  continue
to upgrade the facilities thereof. [.] WITH COMPLETE STANDARD
SETS   OF   BOOKS  AND   OTHER   MATERIALS  AS   PROVIDED
UNDER  SEC.   3   0F  THIS  ACT  AS  WELL  AS   THE   LATEST
ELECTRONIC   LIBRARY  SYSTEM   USING   COMPUTERS   FOR
STORING,     CATALOGING,     AND     FILING     OF     DATA    AND
MATERIALS:   PROVIDED,  FINALLY, THAT BY THE YEAR 2008,
ALL  THE  CITIES  AND  MUNICIPALITIES  0F  THE  PHILIPPINES
WILL    BE    PROVIDED   WITH    ELECTRONICALLY-OPERATED
LIBRARY SYSTEM.
SECTION 2. Section 7 of RA 7738 is hereby amended to read as follows:
Section  7.    Appropriations.-   The  amount  necessary to  carry out
the   provisions   of   this   Act   shall   be   included   in   the   General
Appropriations  Act  of  the  year  following  its  enactment  into  law
[and  for the  next five  (5)  years:  thereafter this  local  government
units   shall   undertake   the   maintenance   of   public   libraries   and
reading   centers   while   the   National   Library   shall   continue   to
provide  reading  materials  and  supplies  to  the  said  libraries  and


reading     centers].           IN     ORDER     TO     PROVIDE     FUNDS
NECESSARY  FOR  THE  ELECTRONIC  LIBRARY  SYSTEM  TO
BE     IMPLEMENTED,     THE     BUDGET    OF    THE     NATIONAL
LIBRARY  SHALL  BE  INCREASED  IN  THE  AMOUNT  OF  FIVE
HUNDRED   MILLION   PESOS   (P500,000,000.00)      PER   YEAR
UNTIL ALL  CITIES AND  MUNICIPALITIES  IN  THE  PHILIPPINES
ARE    PROVIDED    WITH    AND    HAVE    ACCESS    TO     FULL
ELECTRONIC LIBRARY FACILITIES.
SEC.  3.  Repea//.ng  C/ause.-   All  laws,  decrees,  orders,  rules  and  regulations,  or
portions thereof, inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
SEC.  4.  Effecfi.y/-fy.    This  Act  shall  take  effect fifteen  (15)  days  after  its  complete
publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,