SENATE 
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Introduced by SENATOR EDGARDO J. ANGARA 
Explanatory Note 
Books play an integral part in a country’s intellectual, technical and 
cultural development. They are the most effective and economical tools for 
achieving educational 
growth, 
imparting 
information 
and 
recording, 
preserving, and disseminating the nation’s cultural heritage. 
Unfortunately, only few of the books in our libraries and bookstores are of 
local publications. The Philippines has the lowest output in terms of book titles 
compared to our neighbors in Southeast Asia. According to statistics released by the 
Philippine National Library, the number of books published [based on the number of 
International Book Numbers (ISBNs) issued] since 2000 is an average of 5,326.5 
per year only. 
Furthermore, authors based in the National Capital Region, where most of 
the big publishers are based, write most of the local books. Many of our talented 
authors and writers from different regions of the country can put in writing their 
knowledge and local histories and some scientific and technical books that lit their 
local contexts while others can translate classic works into the local languages. 
Some authors have begun manuscripts or research works that are taking too 
long to finish because of lack of resources and because they are preoccupied with 
earning a living for themselves and their loved ones. 
Another problem of the book industry is the very slow expansion of the non- 
textbooks. According to a 2005 report on the local book publishing industry, 
textbooks and general reference books are the “mainstay” of the industry, 
accounting for about 70% of the total book output. An example is the experience of 
University of the Philippines Press, which has an average print run for a literary title 
(poetry, fiction, etc.) of only 1,000; and that very few of these titles are ever 
reprinted. This is dismaying, particularly since many of these books are produced by 
winners of the country’s highest literary awards, with international publications to 
their name. 
This likewise confirms the findings of the Social Weather Station (SWS) study 
commissioned by the National Book Development Board (NBDB) on Filipino Book 
Readership, Reading Attitudes and Reading Preferences in 2003, that 91% of 
respondents who read non-school books did so to get information or gain additional 
knowledge, rather than for plain enjoyment or amusement. According to the same 
study, those respondents who read non-school books, preferred the Bible, followed 
by romance novelettes and there was no data for literary titles. 
This proposed legislation is an attempt at helping both veteran and promising 
authors in the regions to produce or finish manuscripts for publications in the fields 
of science and technology, local history, and in subject areas wherein local books 
are either few or non-existent through the creation of a National Book 
Development Trust Fund from which grants can be offered to deserving authors 
in the regions so they can concentrate full time working on their manuscripts or 
research works for publication. %/ 


If approved, the interest of this Trust Fund would be able to finance annually 
at least sixty five (65) grants, which would be distributed equitably among the 
regions. This measure would also create a dynamic book trade within different 
regions that could contribute to the rich literature pool of the country. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate approval of this bill is earnestly 
sought. 
25-J /@- 
EDGARDO J. ANGARA 
Senator 


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Introduced by SENATOR EDGARDO J. ANGARA 
AN ACT CREATING 
A NATIONAL BOOK DEVELOPMENT TRUST FUND TO 
SUPPORT FILIPINO AUTHORSHIP 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives ofthe Philippines in 
Congress assembled. 
SECTION 1. Title - This Act shall be known as the “National Book 
Development Trust Fund Act“ 
SECTION 2. Statement of Policy. It is the policy of the State to promote the 
continuing development of the book publishing industry in all regions of the country, 
as stated in the 1995 Book Publishing Industry Development (RA 8047). Since 
authorship is one of the major components of book publishing, the National Book 
Policy obliges the State to create an excellent environment for the promotion of 
Filipino authorship and other creative activities in book development. 
SECTION 3. The National Book Development Trust Fund - A 
National Book Development Trust Fund is hereby established exclusively for 
the support and promotion of Filipino authorship especially in Science and 
Technology and in subject areas wherein locally authored books are either few or non- 
existent 
(a) The contribution of the Fund shall be sourced from the following: 
1. The amount of fifty million pesos (P50,000,000.00) shall be taken 
from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation 
(PAGCOR) fund at Five million pesos (P5,000,000.00) per month 
for ten ( I O )  months 
2. Another amount of fifty million pesos (50,000,000.00) shall be 
taken from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office 
(PCSO) at Five million pesos (P5,000,000.00) per month for 
ten (IO) months 
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(b) Only the Interest drawn from the Fund shall be awarded as grants to promote 
Filipino authorship and to support the completion of local manuscripts or 
research works for publication. 
(c) The grants can be awarded only after one (I) 
year from the organization of 
the Fund, and the grants shall be awarded equitably among the regions. 
(d) Government corporations are hereby authorized to give grants to the Fund at 
their discretion, but not to exceed fifteen percent (15%) of their unimpaired 
surplus. 
(e) The private portion of the Fund shall be raised from donations and 
other conveyances including funds, materials, property and services, by 
gratuitous title 
( f )  Contributions to the Fund shall be deductible for income tax 
purposes in accordance with the provision of Section 29 (h) (a) of the 
National Internal Revenue Code. 
(9) The National Book Development Board (NBDB) shall be the 
administrator of the Fund. 
(h) For the sound and judicious management of the Fund, the NBDB shall 
appoint a government financial institution as portfolio manager of the 
Fund, subject to guidelines promulgated by the NBDB. 
(i) The NBDB shall prepare the implementing guidelines and decision - 
making mechanisms, subject to the following; 
1. 
Unless otherwise stipulated by the private donor, only earnings of 
private contributions shall be used for grants. 
No part of the seed capital of the Fund, including earnings, thereof, 
shall be used to underwrite overhead expenses for administration. 
There shall be an external auditor to perform an annual audit of the 
Fund's performance, 
The Fund shall be exempt from pre-audit by the Commission on Audit 
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SECTION 4. Separability Clause, Any portion or provision of this Act 
that may be declared unconstitutional shall not the effect of nullifying other 
portions or provisions thereof as long as such remaining portions or provisions 
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can still subsist and be given effect in the entirety 
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approval. 
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Approved, 
SECTION 5. Saving Clause. All laws, rules, regulations- other issuances or 
parts which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby replaced or modified accordingly. 
SECTION 6. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect immediately upon its 
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