NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
)
First Regular Session
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
HOUSE BILL NO. ____
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 make them accessible and available
in all public schools”. 
The primary purpose of E-Libraries or digital libraries is to augment the positive 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 equip the needs of the Filipino students and researchers. 
In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of the bill is earnestly sought.
VIRGILIO S. LACSON
Manila Teachers Party-list
July 26, 2022
3:28 pm
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NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
)
First Regular Session
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
HOUSE BILL NO. ____
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 digital platforms. 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, 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. 
Sec. 4. Internet Access. - The Department of Education shall ensure access to the online
repository system by providing computers or electronic tablets or terminals to all primary and
secondary public schools nationwide. In order to ensure access to the online repository 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
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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 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 Regulation. – 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 (15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
Approved,