1
Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by CIBAC Party-List Representative 
HON. EDUARDO “BRO. EDDIE” C. VILLANUEVA 
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 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Republic Act No. 7743 was enacted more than thirty years ago, “to 
promote the moral and intellectual well-being of the people: elevate the 
literacy level of every 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, city and municipality, and reading centers in every 
barangay throughout the Philippines.” 
Unfortunately, after more than two and a half decades and amidst 
rapid technological advances, the Philippines is even further behind in 
promoting literacy and e-literacy, especially in terms of adapting to, and 
adopting, new technologies towards the promotion of literacy.  In fact, 
while it has already been recognized globally that Information and 
Communications Technology (ICT) is essential to improving literacies,1 
1 Australian Council for Educational Research, A Global measure of digital and ICT literacy skills, 2016. accessible 
at https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000245577 (last accessed July 11, 2022). 
November 7, 2022
8:05 am
5777


 
 
2
our institutions remain to be suspended in time with antiquated materials, 
equipment and facilities. This, on top of the fact that the noble objectives 
of Republic Act No. 7743 remain to be fully realized, make the situation 
worse in terms of promoting the intellectual well-being of the people thru 
the provision of libraries and reading centers nationwide. 
 
For example, the results of the 2018 Programme for International 
Students Assessment (PISA) paint a dismal picture on the state of 
education and over-all literacy of students in the country. Specifically, out 
of 79 countries assessed, the Philippines was the lowest in terms of 
Reading Literacy (79th), and second from the bottom for Mathematics and 
Science Literacy (78th), ahead only of the Dominican Republic. 
 
 
Reading 
Literacy 
Mathematics 
Literacy 
Science 
Literacy 
Ranking 
(out 
of 
79 
countries) 
79th 
78th 
78th 
PH Average Score 
340 
353 
357 
OECD Average Score 
487 
489 
489 
On the other hand, the 2019 Trends in International Mathematics and 
Science Study (TIMSS) reported that Filipino students ranked lowest 
among 58 countries in an international assessment for mathematics and 
science for Grade 4 students.2 
The COVID-19 pandemic has not made things any better. Despite 
the gradual reopening of schools, the impact of long lockdowns on 
children’s education has become evident — studies show that less than 
ten percent (10%) of Filipino children can read simple text or comprehend 
a simple story, based on a joint report by the United Nations Children’s 
Fund (UNICEF), UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization 
(UNESCO) and the World Bank.3 
 
These are just some of the alarming situations that highlight the 
need to improve our library and reading center systems to pave the way 
for the adoption and use of new technologies that would further promote 
 
2 Inquirer.net, PH’s Grade 4 students lowest in math, science around the world, December 10, 2020, accessible at 
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1370289/phs-grade-4-students-lowest-in-math-science-around-the-world-study (last 
accessed July 11, 2020). 
3
 Inquirer.net, 
When 
10-year-olds 
can’t 
read: 
The 
dulling 
of 
PH 
education, 
accessible 
at 
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1580203/when-10-year-olds-cant-read-the-dulling-of-ph-education 
(last 
accessed 
July 11, 2022). 


3
literacy among our citizens. Thus, the early passage of this bill is earnestly 
sought. 
HON. EDUARDO “BRO. EDDIE” C. VILLANUEVA 


4
Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by CIBAC Party-List Representative 
HON. EDUARDO “BRO. EDDIE” C. VILLANUEVA 
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 
1 
Philippines in Congress assembled: 
2 
3 
SECTION 1. Section 2 of Republic Act No. 7743, otherwise known 
4 
as “An Act Providing for the Establishment of Congressional, City, and 
5 
Municipal Libraries and Barangay Reading Centers Throughout the 
6 
Philippines,” is hereby amended to read as follows: 
7 
8 
"Sec. 2. Establishment of Public Libraries and Reading 
9 
Centers. – The National Library in coordination with the 
10 
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) AND 
11 
ASSISTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION AND 
12 
COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY (DICT), DEPARTMENT 
13 
OF EDUCATION (DEPED), AND THE COMMISSION ON 
14 
HIGHER 
EDUCATION 
(CHED) 
shall 
undertake 
the 
15 
establishment of additional public libraries to serve all 
16 
congressional districts, cities and municipalities in the 
17 
Philippines and reading centers in every barangay except in 
18 
cities or municipalities where there are existing public libraries 
19 
or in barangays where there are already existing public 
20 
5777


 
 
5
libraries or reading centers: Provided, That the establishment 
1 
of such libraries and reading centers shall be based on the 
2 
development program of the National Library, in coordination 
3 
with the development council of each city or municipality and 
4 
in the case of the barangay reading centers, in coordination 
5 
with 
the 
respective 
barangay 
councils; 
PROVIDED, 
6 
FURTHER, THAT THE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM OF THE 
7 
NATIONAL LIBRARY SHALL BE BASED ON THE LATEST 
8 
COMPUTER 
AND 
ELECTRONIC 
LIBRARY 
9 
TECHNOLOGIES: Provided, further, That where these public 
10 
libraries and reading centers already exist, the National Library 
11 
shall continue to upgrade the facilities thereof WITH 
12 
COMPLETE STANDARD SETS OF BOOKS, E-BOOKS, 
13 
ONLINE 
RESEARCH 
RESOURCES 
AND 
OTHER 
14 
MATERIALS, AS WELL AS THE LATEST ELECTRONIC 
15 
LIBRARY SYSTEM USING COMPUTERS FOR STORING, 
16 
CATALOGING, AND FILING OF DATA AND MATERIALS: 
17 
PROVIDED, FINALLY, THAT BY 2025, ALL THE CITIES AND 
18 
MUNICIPALITIES OF THE PHILIPPINES SHALL HAVE 
19 
BEEN PROVIDED WITH ELECTRONICALLY-OPERATED 
20 
LIBRARY SYSTEMS. 
21 
 
22 
The National Library shall continue to coordinate and organize 
23 
seminars, workshops and other trainings for the professional 
24 
benefit of librarians.” 
25 
 
26 
SEC. 2. Role of the Department of Information and 
27 
Communications Technology (DICT). –  The DICT shall assist the 
28 
National Library and the DILG in the provision of cutting-edge computer 
29 
and electronic library technologies, as well as fast and reliable internet 
30 
connections. 
31 
 
32 
SEC. 3. Role of Education Agencies. – The DepEd and the CHED 
33 
shall assist the National Library and the DILG in the selection of standard 
34 
print and non-print library materials. 
35 
 
36 
SEC. 4. Appropriations. – The amount necessary to carry out the 
37 
provisions of this Act shall be included in the General Appropriations Act 
38 
of the year following its enactment into law, and every year thereafter, to 
39 
ensure all cities and municipalities in the Philippines are provided and 
40 
have access to full electronic library facilities and the latest library 
41 
technologies and content and the same are upgraded periodically. 
42 
 
43 


 
 
6
The local government units shall continue to undertake the 
1 
maintenance of public libraries and reading centers while the National 
2 
Library shall continue to provide reading materials and supplies to the said 
3 
libraries and reading centers. 
4 
 
5 
SEC. 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within sixty (60) 
6 
days from the implementation of this Act, the National Library, in 
7 
coordination with the DILG, DICT, DepEd, CHED and other relevant 
8 
government agencies and stakeholders, shall promulgate the rules and 
9 
regulations for the effective implementation of this Act  
10 
 
11 
SEC. 6. Separability Clause. – If any portion or provision of this Act 
12 
is subsequently declared invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions 
13 
hereof which are not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect. 
14 
 
15 
SEC. 7. Repealing Clause. – All other laws, acts, presidential 
16 
decrees, executive orders, presidential proclamations, issuances, rules 
17 
and regulations, or parts thereof which are contrary to or inconsistent with 
18 
any of the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or 
19 
modified accordingly. 
20 
 
21 
SEC. 8. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after 
22 
its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general 
23 
circulation. 
24 
 
25 
Approved, 
26 


 
 
 
7