SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
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) 
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SENATE 
S.B.No. 277 
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JUL -2 A 9 :30 
Introduced by Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Article XIV Section 1 of 1987 Constitution provides that 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. 
For decades, the public school system has been suffering from a shortage of 
books. The problem was not only a shortage of funds but the massive corruption and 
inefficiency that have characterized government textbook procurements since the 19705. 
Years past, one textbook was being shared by every six pupils in grade school and 
by every eight students in high schooL Today, because of stringent bidding procedures at 
the national level and a massive infusion of foreign funds, the DepEd hopes that by the 
end of the school year, all students will each have a textbook in all five core subjects. 
But problems remain at the local leveL The government's textbook procurement 
program still has major kinks. 
The book industry is one of those rather neglected sectors in our society; for all 
that everyone pays lip service to the importance of books for the developmllnt of an 
educated citizenry. The lack of book contributes largely to the weak educational system 
prevalent in the countryside. 
We should recognize the importance of developing the students reading ability in 
our goal of improving their functional literacy skills. Reading is a vital skill that we must 
teach our students to be able to improve their learning skills. 
In line ofthis, the immediate passage of this bill is highly recommended. 
~NGREVlLLA' 
JR. 


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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
'13 
JUL -2 A 9 :29 
SENATE 
S.B.No. ~2~'-...... i 7 
..... 
Introduced by Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING THE BOOKS FOR THE BARRIOS PROGRAM, AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION I. Title - This Act shall be known as the Books for the Barrios Act of 
2013. 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy - It is hereby declared the policy of the State 
to give the Filipino youth, particularly in remote rates, the chance for upward mobility 
through education not only by listening but also by reading. Towards this end, all public 
schools and libraries in remote barangay shall provide with books under the Books for the 
Barrios Program. 
SECTION 3. Books or the Barrio's Program - There shall be established, under 
the Department of Education, (Dep Ed), the Books for the Barrios Program, hereinafter 
referred to as the Program. 
For this purpose, the Dep Ed is hereby authorized to create an office that will take 
charge of the program, which shall have the following functions: 
(a) Prepare a list of all public schools and libraries throughout the country and 
regularly update the same; 
(b) Formulate guidelines and standards fro availment of the benefits under the 
Program; 
(c) Accept and issue receipts or donations of books, magazines and other 
educational materials for distribution to qualified schools and libraries; 
(d) Designate non-goverrunent organizations which may solicit book donations, 
or distribute book and other educational materials under its supervision; 
(e) Make an inventory every three (3) months of all the books and other 
educational materials; 
(f) Make an inventory every three (3) months of all the books and other 
educational materials under its supervision; and 
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(g) Perform such other functions as may be necessary for the effective 
implementation of the Program. 
SECTION 4. Scope and Coverage Program - All elementary and secondary 
public schools, and public libraries in remote barangays throughout the country shall be 
entitled to the benefits offered by the Program: Provided, That public schools shall be 
required to established their own libraries: Provided, further, That private schools and 
libraries in remote barangays may avail of the benefits under the Program subject to the 
guidelines and standards as maybe prescribed by the Department of Education. 
SECTION 5. Mechanism o/the Program. -
(a) 
The Dep Ed shall introduce the program through the different 
government offices, agencies and institutions, the state colleges and 
universities, non-government organizations and private establishments 
which shall solicit from their officials, employees and members' 
donation of used books, magazines and other educational materials. 
(b) 
The Dep Ed may also solicit books from foreign sources; 
(c) 
At the end of every school year, all graduates from all levels shall be 
encouraged to donate their books and other educational materials to 
the Program; 
(d) 
Non-governmental organizations as may be designated by the Dep Ed 
shall be authorized to solicit and distribute book donations in 
accordance with the guidelines as may be formulated by the Dep Ed: 
Provided, That reports shall be submitted to the Department of 
Education as to the manner and number of books received and 
distributed; 
(e) 
The books and educational materials received shall be inventoried and 
distributed to qualified schools and libraries as may be determined by 
the Dep Ed in accordance with the guidelines as may be formulated for 
the Program. 
SECTION 6. Annual Report - The Dep Ed shall submit an annual report to the 
President of the Philippines and the Congress on the implementation of the Program 
which shall include the member of books and other educational materials solicited and 
distributed and the beneficiaries thereof 
SECTION 7. Appropriations -- The Secreatry of the Dep Ed shall immediately 
include in its program and issue such rules and regulations to implement the provisions of 
this Act, the funding of which shall be included in the annual General Appropriations 
Act. 
SECTION 8. Repealing Clause - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations 
or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly. 
SECTION 9. Effectivity - This Act shall take effect upon its approval. 
Approved, 
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