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Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
Nineteenth Congress 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 9458 
Introduced by Representative LORDAN G. SUAN 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING A BARANGAY COMPUTER CENTER AND i-LIBRARY IN 
ALL BARANGAYS 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
In the current era marked by the pervasive digitization of services and the 
widespread utilization of the Internet, government agencies have diligently 
endeavored to transition their services and information online. This strategic 
shift has yielded significant advantages, including enhanced operational 
efficiency, cost reduction, and improved accessibility. Nevertheless, a 
considerable segment of the population, particularly those residing in rural and 
underserved areas, remains deprived of the benefits of this digital 
transformation. 
This legislative proposal is designed to address this issue by establishing a 
dedicated computer center and i-library in all barangays throughout the entire 
country. 
The bill provides for the establishment of a computer center within the 
barangay, offering residents free or cost-effective access to government online 
services and portals and providing a culture of reading and learning in the 
community. The computer center will be equipped with computers, internet 
connectivity, and other information and communication technologies (ICTs) to 
cater to the digital needs of the local population. Furthermore, it will serve as an 
invaluable resource by providing computer training, facilitating access to 
government online services and portals, extending technical support to the 
November 7, 2023
3:48 pm


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barangay's local government, and providing i-library and digital asset 
management to the barangay library or reading center. 
The primary objectives of this bill are to enhance digital literacy and 
provide access to government online services for the residents of the barangay. 
It is also geared towards fostering national development and fostering digital 
inclusion by ensuring that all residents have access to essential ICTs. 
In summary, this bill represents a crucial step towards bridging the digital 
divide, empowering citizens with essential digital skills, and affording them the 
convenience of government services and information at their fingertips, 
ultimately contributing to the progress and inclusivity of our community and 
nation. 
In light of the preceding, this bill’s approval is fervently sought. 
LORDAN G. SUAN 
Cagayan de Oro City – 1st District 


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Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
Nineteenth Congress 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 9458 
Introduced by Representative LORDAN G. SUAN 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING A BARANGAY COMPUTER CENTER AND i-LIBRARY IN 
ALL BARANGAYS 
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 the “Barangay 
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Computer Center and i-Library Act.” 
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SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — The State recognizes the importance 
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of computer literacy, access to information and communication technologies 
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(ICTs), and fostering a culture of reading and learning within communities. It is 
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the State's policy to establish combined computer centers and libraries in 
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barangays, offering barangay residents access to ICTs, enhancing digital literacy, 
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providing access to government online services, and promoting reading and 
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research. 
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SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. — For purposes of this Act, the following 
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terms shall have the following meanings: 
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(a)
Computer center refers to a facility that provides access to
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computers, the internet, and other ICTs. 
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(b) Government portal refers to a single online platform that provides
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citizens and businesses with a convenient way to access government information 
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and services. It typically offers a variety of features, such as online forms and 
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applications, payment processing, access to databases and records, and tools for 
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communicating with government agencies. 
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(c) i-Library refers to services provided by a computer center which are 
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typically digital asset management (DAM) services that help libraries manage 
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their digital content, such as images, videos, documents, and presentations. 
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(d) Information and communication technology refers to technologies 
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that are used to create, store, transmit, and receive information. ICT includes a 
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wide range of technologies, such as computers, the internet, mobile phones, 
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satellites, and software. 
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SECTION 4. Establishment of a Barangay Computer Center in all 
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Barangays. — A Barangay Computer Center in each and every barangay shall be 
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established by the concerned barangay local government unit (LGU). The 
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computer center shall be equipped with the necessary hardware, software, and 
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connectivity to provide residents with access to ICTs. 
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SECTION 5. Functions of the Barangay Computer Center. — The barangay 
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computer center shall perform the following functions: 
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(a) 
Provide internet access to barangay officials, employees and 
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residents. 
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(b) 
Offer computer training to barangay officials, employees and 
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residents. 
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(c) 
Offer guidance and training to promote awareness of information 
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security and foster a culture of computer and internet security consciousness. 
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(d) 
Provide training and access to tools for software, computer and web 
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application development. 
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(e) 
Provide access to government online services and portals. 
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(f) 
Offer educational programs, workshops, and reading activities. 
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(g) 
Provide access to public computers. 
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(h) 
Offer printing and photocopying services. 
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(i) 
Provide technical support to the barangay LGU. 
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(j) 
Provide operational and technical assistance and internet services 
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to the barangay library or reading center and its clients.  
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SECTION 6. Assistance from the National Government. — The Department 
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of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the Department of 
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Interior and Local Government (DILG) shall provide assistance in the 
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establishment and operation of the barangay computer center. The assistance 
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may include financial assistance, technical assistance, and the donation of 
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equipment and supplies. 
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SECTION 7. Appropriations. — The province, city or municipality, and 
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barangay concerned shall each provide in their annual budget of appropriations 
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the funds necessary for the establishment and operation of the barangay 
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computer center. The allotted amount shall be in proportion to the concerned 
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LGU’s share in the National Tax Allotment as mandated by Section 6, Article X of 
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the 1987 Constitution and implementing laws. 
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SECTION 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within ninety (90) 
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days from the effectivity of this Act, the DICT shall, in coordination with the DILG 
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and the local governments of Cagayan de Oro City and Barangay Carmen, jointly 
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promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation 
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of this Act. 
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SECTION 9. Separability Clause. — Any portion or provisions of this Act 
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that may be declared unconstitutional or invalid shall not have the effect of 
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nullifying other portions or provisions hereof as long as such remaining portions 
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or provisions can still subsist and be given effect in their entirety. 
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SECTION 10. Repealing Clause. — All laws, presidential decrees, executive 
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orders, memoranda, circulars, and other issuances, or parts thereof, which are 
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inconsistent with the Act, are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
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SECTION 11. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) 
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days after its publication in the Official Gazette, in a newspaper of general 
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circulation, or on a website provided for by law.
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Approved,