EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
Second Regular Session 
)
SENATE 
S.B. NO. 2211
FILED
DATE
TIME¥
BiLLS
Introduced by SENATOR RAMON BONG REVILLA, JR.
AN ACT
DIGITIZING ALL BOOKS NECESSARY FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION AND 
ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE ONLINE LIBRARY, PRIVIDING FUNDS 
THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the shift of many sectors to the digital 
realm. Given the need to minimize face-to-face transactions and limit public gathering, 
businesses and government offices have implemented online services and digital 
payments. Medical consultations and appointments with health professionals also 
transitioned to teleconferencing, as travel restrictions and the continuing threat of 
contracting the disease in public transport persist.
The same is true in the education front. Traditional classroom learning moved 
to online meetings and video conferences. Before, our teachers were using green 
blackboards on which they write the day's lessons. But today, they use green 
backgrounds for their online classes. While they used to wield chalk and pens, they 
now have internet connection and electronic devices as potent weapons of instruction.
The New Normal indicates that this online method of learning is here to stay. 
There is therefore a need to complement this evolution with a similar shift in terms of 
available learning materials and references. This bill aims to establish the Philippine 
Online Library which will house the digitized copy of all textbooks and reference books 
necessary for the public education of our elementary and secondary students. It 
envisions an entire library of essential reading materials at the children's fingertips, 
and easy access to a treasure trove of Filipino literature.


The creation of this online facility is also a step in the direction taken by the 
youth who spend much of their time online and on their mobile phones. While they 
are at it, we follow their lead and bring the educational materials to where they are. 
By employing the technology they enjoy using and engaging the habits they currently 
have, we can encourage them to read and study.
This measure can also be seen as a viable and cost-effective option against 
brick and mortar libraries which take many months and even more resources to build 
and operate. Moreover, as efforts are underway to improve internet services and 
connect communities through a national digital landscape, it Is hoped that online 
libraries, with its promise of education and empowerment, will be able to reach every 
young mind, including those from farthest barrios and remote villages.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is highly 
recommended.
RAMOI^ONG REVILLA, JR.


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session
)
SENATE 
S.B. NO. 2211
FILED
TIME
1KM>EX
GILLS
Introduced by SENATOR RAMON BONG REVILLA, JR.
AN ACT
DIGITIZING ALL BOOKS NECESSARY FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION AND 
ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE ONLINE LIBRARY, PRIVIDING FUNDS 
THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shail be known as the '''Philippine Online Library
2 
Act of2021."
3 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It shall be the policy of the State to ensure that
4 
its citizens are computer literate and are provided access to an increasingly digitized
5 
world. Thus, the State shall provide its citizens with the opportunity to increase their
6 
adaptability with information and communications technology, and to enhance their
7 
learning experience by providing access to digitized copies of textbooks necessary for
8 
the provision of quality primary and secondary education.
9 
Sec. 3. Philippine Online Library.- The. Department of Education (DepEd) shall
10 
create a digitized copy of all textbooks and reference books it deems necessary for
11 
the public education of Philippine elementary and secondary students. This shall be
12 
compiled in the Philippine Online Library which shall be jointly managed by the
13 
Department of Education and the Department of Information and Communication
14 
Technology.
15 
Sec. 4. Provision for Access to the Digitized Copies of Textbooks. —
16 
The Department of Education shall ensure access to the digitized copies of textbooks


1 
by providing computers, iaptops or appropriate wherewithal to all primary and
2 
secondary public schools nationwide. Similarly, in order to ensure access to the
3 
digitized copies of textbooks, the Department of Information and Communications
4 
Technology shall provide fast and reliable internet access to each primary and
5 
secondary public school.
6 
Sec. 5. Recycling of Computers. - In order to offset expenses related to the
7 
procurement of computers, laptops or appropriate wherewithal necessary for the
8 
Immediate execution of the provisions of this Act, national government agencies,
9 
government-owned and controlled corporations, and other government financial
10 
institutions which shall procure new computers shall endorse their old units to the
11 
Department of Information and Communications Technology to check if the computers
12 
can still be used for the intent of this Act and afterwards shall be given to the
13 
Department of Education for deployment to primary and secondary public schools
14 
nationwide.
15 
Sec. 6. Additional Online EducationalMatenais. - The Department of Education
16 
can tap the National Library of the Philippines to complement the Philippine Online
17 
Library's digital repository of textbooks with additional materials that is representative
18 
of Filipino culture and literature. DepEd shall also be allowed to add other online
19 
materials that it deems necessary for expanding the learning opportunities for
20 
students.
21 
Sec. 7. Custody over Digitized Copies of Textbooks. - The Department of
22 
Education and the National Library of the Philippines shall have joint custody over the
23 
digitized copies of the textbooks. The Department of Information and Communications
24 
Technology shall likewise ensure the technological management of the digital
25 
repository to ensure the integrity of the system.
26 
Sec. 8. Appropriations. - The initial amount of Five Hundred Million (Php
27 
500,000,000.00) shall be appropriated for the immediate implementation of this Act
28 
and shall be jointly managed by the Department of Education and Department of
29 
Information and Communications Technology. An annual budget of One Hundred
30 
Million (Php 100,000,000.00) will be included in the annual budget of the Department
31 
of Education to make sure that the equipment and internet connection of public
32 
schools for the purpose of this Act will be maintained.


1 
Sec. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Department of Education,
2 
the Department of Information and Communications Technology, and the National
3 
Library of the Philippines shall have joint responsibility over the formulation of the
4 
Implementing Rules and Regulations necessary for the effective execution and
5 
enforcement of this Act. They shall do so In close coordination with the Department
6 
of Science and Technology, and other stakeholders. The Implementing Rules and
7 
Regulations shall be released within ninety (90) days from the approval of this Act.
8 
Sec. 10. Separability Clause. - If, for any reason, any part, section, or provisions
9 
of this Act Is held Invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining provisions not affected
10 
thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.
11 
Sec. 11. Repealing dause.-kW laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,
12 
rules and regulations, and parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of
13 
this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
14 
Sec. 12. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following
15 
the completion of its publication in the Official Gazette or In at least two (2)
16 
newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,