SIXTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES —)
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. RodrigueX
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

4
House Bill No, 2012
EXPLANATORY NOTE

One of the trends that go hand in hand with the phenomenon of
globalization is the promotion of the use of information technology in various
fields such as business, media, communication and education. With
information technology, learning is no longer restricted within the four walls of
the classroom, nor is it limited to the use of books and magazines.

Republic Act No. 7743 was enacted specifically to put up libraries
andlor reading centers in every city, municipality and barangay in order to
boost the literacy rate of our citizenry. A number of years have passed
already but the intent of the law has yet to be fully implemented.

However, there is a need to upgrade our learning system such that
every learning and reading center will employ the latest computer and
electronic library technology in order to best serve our fellowmen.

In view of the foregoing considerations early passage of this bill is
earnestly sought

RUFUS 8. RODI EZ

MAXIMO. ROPRIGUEZ, JR.


‘SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES —_)
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

__ 2512

House Bill No.

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 Philippines
in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Section 2 of RA 7743 is hereby amended to read as
follows:
Section 2. Establishment of Public Libraries and
Reading Centers- The National Library in
coordination with the Department of the Interior and
Local Government (DILG) shall undertake the
establishment of additional public libraries to serve all
congressional districts, cities and municipalities in the
Philippines and reading centers in every barangay
except in cities or municipalities where there are
existing public libraries or in barangays where there
are existing public libraries or in barangays _ where
there are existing reading centers: Provided, That the
establishment program of the National Library shall be
BASED ON THE LATEST COMPUTER AND
ELECTRONIC LIBRARY TECHNOLOGY in
coordination with the development council of each city
or municipality and in the case of the barangay
reading centers, in coordination with the respective
barangay councils: Provided, Further, That where
these public libraries and reading centers already
exist, the National Library shall continue to upgrade
the facilities thereof. [.] WITH COMPLETE
STANDARD SETS OF BOOKS AND OTHER
MATERIALS AS PROVIDED UNDER SEC. 3 OF
THIS ACT AS WELL AS THE LATEST ELECTRONIC.
LIBRARY SYSTEM USING COMPUTERS FOR
STORING, CATALOGING, AND FILING OF DATA
AND MATERIALS: PROVIDED, FINALLY, THAT BY


THE YEAR 2008, ALL THE CITIES AND
MUNICIPALITIES OF THE PHILIPPINES WILL BE
PROVIDED WITH ELECTRONICALLY-OPERATED
LIBRARY SYSTEM

SECTION 2. Section 7 of RA 7738 is hereby amended to read as
follows:

Section 7. 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 [and for the next five (5) years:
thereafter this local government units shall undertake
the maintenance of public libraries and reading
centers while the National Library shall continue to
provide reading materials and supplies to the said
libraries and reading centers]. IN ORDER TO
PROVIDE FUNDS NECESSARY FOR THE
ELECTRONIC LIBRARY SYSTEM TO BE
IMPLEMENTED, THE BUDGET OF THE NATIONAL
LIBRARY SHALL BE INCREASED IN THE AMOUNT
OF FIVE HUNDRED MILLION PESOS
(P500,000,000.00) PER YEAR UNTIL ALL CITIES
AND MUNICIPALITIES IN THE PHILIPPINES ARE
PROVIDED WITH AND HAVE ACCESS TO FULL
ELECTRONIC LIBRARY FACILITIES.

SEC. 3. Repealing Clause All laws, decrees, orders, rules and
regulations, or portions thereof, inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed
or modified accordingly.

SEC. 4. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
complete publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation

Approved,