REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

House Bill No,_8489

Introduced by MAGDALO Party-List Representative
HON. GARY C. ALEJANO-

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Libraries play a vital role in promoting the progress of knowledge. As gateways to
knowledge and culture, libraries play a fundamental role in society. The resources and services they
offer create opportunities for learning, support literacy and education, and help shape the new ideas
and perspectives that are central to a creative and innovative society. They also help ensure an
authentic record of knowledge created and accumulated by past generations. In a world without
libraries, it would be difficult to advance research and human knowledge or preserve the world’s
cumulative knowledge and heritage for future generations.

Moreover, libraries are synonymous with education and offer countless leaning
opportunities that can fuel economic, social and cultural development. The inspiring story of
William Kamkwamba from Malawi underlines the difference a library can make. Having borrowed
a book about windmills from his local library, Mr. Kamkwamba learned how to build an energy-
producing turbine for his village. On the strength of this experience he went on to study at a leading
US university. That one book not only changed his life; it also transformed the lives of those in his
village community. Such stories explain why many countries are eager to ensure that libraries
continue to provide access to knowledge, learning and ideas.

‘Therefore, seeing that libraries play an important role in nation-building, this bill shall aim
to give as many Filipinos as possible the chance to develop themselves by strengthening the

establishment of municipal libraries.

In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

ep. Gary C. Alejano


20

21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session
8489

House Bill No.

Introduced by MAGDALO Party-List Representative
HON. GARY C. ALEJANO.

AN ACT

STRGNTHENING THE PROGRAM FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF LIBRARIES

NATIONWIDE, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7743,

ENTITLED “AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF

CONGRESSIONAL, CITY, AND MUNICIPAL LIBRARIES AND BARANGAY READING
CENTERS THROUGHOUT THE PHILIPPINES, APPROPRIATING THE NECESSARY

FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

assembled,

every

shall

SECTION 1. Section | of Republic Act No. 7743 is hereby amended to read as follows:

“SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy.—It is hereby declared the national policy to
promote the moral and intellectual well-being of the people: elevate the literacy level of
Filipino to the end that illiteracy is eradicated by the end of the century; and recognize the
vital role of knowledge and information in nation-building by establishing public libraries in
every congressional district, PROVINCIAL, city and municipality, and reading centers in
every barangay [throughout the Philippines] NATIONWIDE.”

SEC. 2. Section 2 of Republic Act No. 7743 is hereby amended to read as follows:

“Sec. 2. Establishment of Public Libraries and Reading Centers.—The National
Library in coordination with {the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)]
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUS) CONCERNED shall undertake the
establishment of [additional] public libraries to serve all congressional districts,
PROVINCIAL, cities and municipalities in the [Philippines] COUNTRY and reading
centers in ever barangay except in cities or municipalities where there are existing reading
centers: Provided, That the establishment of such PUBLIC libraries and reading centers
be [based] CONSISTENT AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH [on] the MASTER
development program of the National Library: [, in coordination with the development


1 council] PROVIDED FURTHER, THAT THE ESTABLISHMENT OF PROVINCIAL,
2 CITY AND MUNICIPAL PUBLIC LIBRARIES AND/OR BARANGAY READING
3 CENTERS IN EVERY PROVINCE. CITY, AND MUNICIPALITY IS INCLUDED IN
4 THE DEVELOPMENT PLAN APPROVED BY THE RESPECTIVE LOCAL
5 GOVERNMENT COUNCILS [of each city or municipality and in the case of the barangay
6 reading centers in coordination with the respective barangay councils]: Provided further
7 MORE, That, where these public libraries and reading centers already exist, the National
8 Library, TOGETHER WITH THE LGUS HOSTING THESE PUBLIC LIBRARIES
9 shall continue AND PURSUE PROGRAM to upgrade the facilities thereof,

10 “The National Library shall continue to coordinate and organize seminars,
11 workshops, and other trainings for the professional benefit of librarians NATIONWIDE.”

12 SEC. 3. Section 3 of Republic Act No. 7743 is hereby amended to read as follows:
1B “Sec. 3. Role of the National Library.—The National Library shall HELP AND
4 ASSIST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, PROVINCIAL, CITY, AND MUNICIPAL.
1s PUBLIC LIBRARIES IN THE ENHANCEMENT AND UPGRADING OF LIBRARY
16 MATERIALS AND FACILITIES, TO INCLUDE, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE
7 PROVISION OF THE FOLLOWING: [provide the standard set of] reference books and
18 other materials, TO INCLUDE AMONG OTHERS, [such as but not limited to}
19 encyclopedias, dictionaries, maps, and globes [upon the establishment of the libraries]. [The
20 National Library] IT shall continue to supply the public libraries with the other books, non-
21 book materials, equipment supplies and other appropriate and relevant reference and reading
2 materials taking into consideration the needs of the community concerned.”

2B SEC. 4. There is hereby a new section to be inserted and labeled as Section 4 of Republic

24 Act No. 7743 to read as follows

25 SEC. 4. ROLE OF THE LGUS.—TO EFFECTIVELY ENSURE THE
26 CONTINUITY OF THE OPERATION OF PUBLIC LIBRARIES, THE LGUS
27 CONCERNED SHALL APPROPRIATE AT LEAST TWENTY-FIVE (25%) FROM
28 THEIR ANNUAL SPECIAL EDUCATION FUND (SEF) TAX COLLECTIONS
29 WHICH SHALL BE UTILIZED FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF THE LIBRARY
30 INFRASTRUCTURE AND FACILITIES, THE PURCHASE OF LIBRARY
31 MATERIALS AND OTHER NECESSARY EXPENSES THAT MAY BE INCURRED

32 IN THE COURSE OF OPERATION.


wewn

a

10
Ml
12
13
14
15
16
7
18
19
20
21
22

24

25
26
27
28

LGUS SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SALARY AND OTHER
EMOLUMENTS OF LIBRARY PERSONNEL EXCEPT THE SALARY AND
OTHER = EMOLUMENTS OF RESIDENT PROFESSIONAL LIBRARIANS WHICH
SHALL BE GOTTEN FROM THE ANNUAL BUDGET OF THE NATIONAL
LIBRARY.

SEC. 5. There is hereby a new section to be inserted and labeled as Section 5 of Republic
Act No. 7743 to read as follows:

SEC. 5. APPOINTMENT OF PROFESSIONAL LIBRARIANS.—THE
SELECTION AND APPOINTMENT OF PUBLIC LIBRARIANS SHALL BE IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE MERIT AND FITNESS PRINCIPLE. THE
APPOINTMENT OF PROFESSIONAL LIBRARIANS IN ALL PUBLIC LIBRARIES
IN THE PROVINCIAL, CITY, AND MUNICIPAL LEVELS SHALL BE
MANDATORY AT LEAST ONE (1) YEAR AFTER THE EFFECTIVITY OF THIS
ACT. PURSUANT TO THIS, ALL HEADS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS
(LGUS) CONCERNED SHALL ENSURE THAT BUDGETARY REQUIREMENTS
FOR THE PURPOSE OF EFFECTIVELY IMPLEMENTING THE PROVISION OF
THIS ACT SHALL BE INCLUDED IN THEIR ANNUAL APPROPRIATIONS. IN
THE CASE OF THE BARANGAY READING CENTERS, HOWEVER,
APPOINTMENTS TO THE PUBLIC LIBRARIAN POSITION SHALL BE

SUBJECT TO THE AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT
APPOINTMENTS TO THE SAME POSITION IN PERMANENT CAPACITY

SHALL BE SUBJECT TO THE SET REQUIREMENTS OF THE CIVIL SERVICE
COMMISSION.

SEC. 6. Director.—Section 5 of Republic Act No. 7743 is hereby amended as follows:

“See. [5.] 7. Period of Implementation.—The overall national plan of implementation
shall cover initially a period of five (5) years: Provided, That those congressional districts,
cities, and municipalities with no existing public libraries as well as barangays situated in
remote, isolated and rural areas, shall have a priority in the allocation of resources.

Within one hundred twenty (120) days from the effectivity of this Act, the National

Library in [consultation with the DILG] COORDINATION WITH LGUS
CONCERNED, the CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, PROVINCIAL, CITY, AND
MUNICIPAL ENGINEER [Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)] and the


Aauswn

10
i
12
13

15
16
17
18

20
21
22
23
24

25
26

DIVISION SCHOOLS SUPERINTENDENT CONCERNED OF THE DEPARTMENT OF
EDUCATION (DEPED) (different local government units}, shall come out with [the list of
priority areas, taking into account the commitment of the local government units in the
establishment and maintenance of public libraries and barangay reading centers] A
PROGRAM FOR THE EFFECTIVE COMPLIANCE TO THE PROVISIONS OF
THIS ACT.

SEC. 7. Section 7 of Republic Act No. 7743 is hereby amended to read as follows:

“Sec. [7.] 9. Appropriations.—The SEED amount OF FIVE HUNDRED

MILLION PESOS FOR EVERY YEAR FOR TWO (2) YEARS SHALL BE
APPROPRIATED FROM THE UNEXPENDED INCOME OF THE PHILIPPINE
CHARITY SWEEPSTAKES OFFICE (PCSO). ON THE THIRD YEAR OF THE
PROGRAM AND THEREAFTER, THE AMOUNT OF ONE HUNDRED MILLION
(P100,000,000) [allocated necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act] shall be included
intheANNUAL — BUDGET OF THE NATIONAL LIBRARY. [General Appropriations Act
ofthe year following its enactment into law and for the next five (5) years; thereafter,] T[tJhe
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.”
SEC. 8, Section 9 of Republic Act No. 7743 is hereby amended to read as follows

“Sec. [9. 10. Rules and Regulations.—Within sixty (60) days from the approval of
this Act, the National Library, in coordination with the [DILG] REPRESENTATIVES
FROM LEAGUES OF PROVINCES, CITIES, AND MUNICIPALITIES and the
Philippine Information Agency (PIA), shall promulgate the implementing rules and
regulations.”

SEC. 9. Repealing Clause.—All laws, decrees, executive orders or parts thereof
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 10. Separability Clause—If any part or provision of this Act is declared invalid or
unconstitutional, the other parts not otherwise affected shall remain in full effect and force.

SEC. 11. Effectivity—This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved,