THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
Third Regular Session 
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lntroduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article XIV, Section 1, states that: 
Section 1. 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; 
The Constitution, Article XIV, Section 2, paragraph 4, further states that: 
Section 2. The State shall: 
(4) Encourage non-formal, informal, and indigenous learning systems, as 
well as self-learning, independent, and out-of-school study programs 
particularly those that respond lo community needs; 
In order to promote information dissemination and the availability of educational 
materials throughout the country, Congress passed in 17 June 1994 Republic Act No. 
7743, "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". 
R. A. No. 7743, Section 2, provides that: 
Sectioii 2. Establishment of Public Libraries and Reading Centers. - 
The National Library in coordination with the Department of the Interior 
and Local Governinent (DILG) shall undertake the establishment of 
additional public libraries to serve ail congressional districts cities and 
iniinicipalities in the Philippines aud reading centers in every barangay 
except in cities or municipalities where there are existing public libraries 


Considering the need to educate citizens about new knowledge aid infoimation, it 
is necessary to enact a law that will require the establishment of one (1) public library for 
every barangay. This will ensure that constituents from the most basic unit of society 
will have ready access to a wide array of information which is necessary for their 
education. 
This Act aims to provide for the establishment of one public library for every 
barangay, based on the number of its constituents. 


~-I~IIYI-EENTI-I 
CONGRESS 01: THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PI-IILIPI'INES 
1 
Third Regular Session 
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Introduced by Senaior Miriam Defensor Santiago 
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AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF 
ONE (1) PUBLIC LIBRARY FOR EVERY BARANGAY 
SECTION 1. Sl7orr Title. - This Act shall be Imowii as the "Barangap Public 
Lihmi-y Acl of 2006". 
SECTION 2. Declrtrnfiun qf'Puliry It sliall be the policy of the State to enhance 
and proniote education and impro\;ement of literacy among its citizens; to promote the 
moral and iotellectual well-being of the people; and recognize the vital role of education 
and inlormation dissemination in nation-building by establishing a public library in every 
barangay. 
SECTION 3. 
E.r/cibiishi~le~?t 
of 4 Pzi6lic Librrtr>' ;J? Ewr)* Buwngg):. The 
ehairmaii of e\'er!. barangay shall coordinate with the p~-ovincial or city officer of the 


SECTION 4. 
Role ofthe Deparlment of Educntion - The local office o l  the 
DepEd shall be responsible €or providing the standard set of reference books and other 
materials such as but not limited to encyclopedias, dictionaries, maps and globes to every 
barangay public library. The DepEd shall to supply the public libraries with the other 
books, non-book materials, equipment supplies and other appropriate and relevant 
reference and reading materials taking into consideration the needs of the community 
concerned. 
SECTION 5. Role ofBarangay Oficials. The barangay officials shall designate 
one (1) librarian to be responsible for the management of the barangay public librarian. 
The local barangay officials shall also coordinate yearly with the local office of the 
DepEd lor updating the materials provided in the barangay public libraries. 
SECTION 6. Computers in Barangay Public Libraries. Aside from books and 
other materials, every barangay public library shall have at least two (2) units o f  
computer. 
SECTION 7. Site for Barangay Libraries. The barangay chairman shall ensure 
the presence of a suitable location to be the site of the public library. As much as 
possible the public library shall be situated at the centre of the barangay which is the 
place most accessible to the public, especially lo students. 
SECTION 8. Period oflmplementation. Within one hundred twenty (120) days 
from the eKectivity of this Act, the DepEd and the local barangay officials, in 
coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways, shall prepare the 
feasibility studies for the establishment o f  barangay public libraries. 


SECTION 9. Functions of the Burangay Public Libraries. The barangay public 
libraries shall have the following functions: 
(A)to male available to the members of the community reading materials of wide 
array including reading materials prescribed by the DepEd and national 
newspapers of general circulation and others; 
(B) to make available to the members of the community copies or barangay 
ordinances; 
(C) to be used as a venue for audio-visual presentations, seminars and lectures in 
the community and other kinds of exhibitions and activities aimed at 
increasing the literacy rate by government agencies, non-governmental 
organizations or private entities in the dissemination of inlormation of general 
interest; and 
(D)to offer such other related services in the furtherance of this Act. 
SECTION 10. 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, the local government units shall undertake the 
maintenance o f  public libraries while the DepEd shall continue to provide reading 
materials and supplies to the said libraries and reading centers. 
SECTION 1 1 ,  Rules and Regularions. - Within sixty (60) clays from the 
approval of this Act, the DepEd, in coordination with the DILG ‘and the Philippine 
Information Agency (PIA), shall promulgate the implementing rules and regulations. 
SECTION 12. Separability Ckrzme. ~ 
If any provision or part thereof, is held 
invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise 
affected shall remain valid and subsisting. 


SECTION 13. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to, 
or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended 
accordingly. 
SECTION 14. Efectivily Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,