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

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez _

House Bill No. 1879

EXPLANATORY NOTE

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

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

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez

House Bit! NoL873_

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:
Section 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 OF 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 OF 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. Repealing Clause.- All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations, or
portions thereof, inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 4. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete
publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,