Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 1336 
Introduced by Representative Roman T. Romulo 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
It is stated in our Constitution that the arts and letters shall enjoy the patronage 
of the State. Towards this end, the State shall conserve, promote, and popularize the 
nation’s historical and cultural heritage and resources, as well as artistic creations. 
The Sate shall also promote the moral and intellectual well-being of the people; elevate 
the literacy level of every Filipino; and recognize the vital role of knowledge and 
information in nation-building. 
In this light, this bill seeks to establish the Charter of the National Library of the 
Philippines. The National Library of the Philippines, as it is known today, dates back 
to August 12, 1887, where its precursor, the Museo-Biblioteca de Filipinas, was 
established through a royal decree. Throughout the decades, it has been operating 
without an original charter. Various laws were enacted which only touched upon the 
nomenclature of the National Library. Evidently, there exists a need for the Philippines 
to be able to serve the demands of our rich history and our people. 
The International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) and the United 
Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) define a public 
library as “an organization established, supported and funded by the community, either 
through local, regional or national government or through some other form of 
community organization. It provides access to knowledge, information and works of 
the imagination through a range of resources and services and is equally available to 
all members of the community regardless of race, nationality, age, gender, religion, 
language, disability, economic, employment status and educational attainment” (Gill, 
2001).  It exists to serve communities. It is a “democratic equalizer, open to all and 
providing access to information that helps people improve their individual, family, and 
community lives (Scott, 2011).” In many jurisdictions, public library services contribute 
to youth development community health, agriculture, and community and economic 
well-being. Aptly put, the IFLA UNESCO Public Manifesto says: "The public library, 
July 7, 2025
8:15 am




Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 1336 
Introduced by Representative Roman T. Romulo 
AN ACT 
INSTITUTING THE CHARTER OF THE NATIONAL LIBRARY OF THE 
PHILIPPINES, DEFINING ITS OBJECTIVES, POWERS, AND FUNCTIONS, 
REPEALING FOR THIS PURPOSE ACT NOS. 222, 1849, 1935, 2572, 3477, 
EXECUTIVE ORDER 94, and REPUBLIC ACT NOS. 3873, and 10087 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled:  
SEC. 1. Short Title - This Act shall be known as the "THE CHARTER OF THE 
1 
NATIONAL LIBRARY OF THE PHILIPPINES." 
2 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared a policy of the State that 
3 
the arts and letters shall enjoy the patronage of the State. The State shall conserve, 
4 
promote, and popularize the nation's historical and cultural heritage and resources, as 
5 
well as artistic creations. The State shall also promote the moral and intellectual well-
6 
being of the people: elevate the literacy level of every Filipino; and recognize the vital 
7 
role of knowledge and information in nation-building. 
8 
Towards this end, the State shall establish The National Library of the 
9 
Philippines as the official repository of the printed and recorded cultural heritage of the 
10 
country and other intellectual, literary, and information sources. The State shall 
11 
endeavor to continuously develop and enhance its library facilities, relevant library 
12 
resources, and dynamic services that contribute to the intellectual, social, and cultural 
13 
development of the Filipino society. 
14 
The National Library of the Philippines shall also manage, maintain, and 
15 
support the provincial, city, and municipal libraries, as well as the barangay reading 
16 
centers, as provided in this Act. 
17 
SEC. 3. Establishment of a National Library of the Philippines. - There is 
18 
hereby established a National Library of the Philippines (NLP). The NLP shall be the 
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repository of the printed and recorded cultural heritage of the country and other 
1 
intellectual literary and information sources. It shall continue to provide access to these 
2 
resources for our people's intellectual growth, citizenship building, life-long learning, 
3 
and enlightenment. 
4 
It shall be an affiliated cultural agency of the National Commission for Culture 
5 
and the Arts (NCCA) and attached to the Office of the President for Budgetary 
6 
purposes. 
7 
SEC. 4. Purposes and Objectives of the NLP. - The NLP shall have the 
8 
following purposes and objectives: 
9 
(a) To acquire, and preserve books, papers, documents, and periodicals of 
10 
every kind or class as well as Filipiniana Materials through various methods 
11 
of acquisitions such as purchase, donations, bequests, transfers of 
12 
property, money, or books for the use of NLP; 
13 
(b) To provide for an efficient online access to the different information 
14 
resources and national bibliographic services of the NLP, and the Philippine 
15 
eLib; 
16 
(c) To be the lead organization in promoting digital library services online, 
17 
especially in the field of publishing works online; 
18 
(d) To establish and develop, in cooperation with the local government units, a 
19 
system of public libraries and information centers throughout the country; 
20 
(e) To promote, establish and maintain national and international standards in 
21 
library and information services; 
22 
(f) To conduct continuing research on Philippine Librarianship; 
23 
(g) To conduct training and assessment of the basics and standards of library 
24 
practice such as the maintenance of accession records and list of 
25 
collections; 
26 
(h) To promote and collaborate with the Commission on Higher Education to 
27 
include programs in library science and related courses to ensure the 
28 
increase in number of course takers who can be fielded or employed in 
29 
public libraries. 
30 
(i) To undertake related cultural activities under the provisions of Republic Act 
31 
No. 10066, or the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009, which states that 
32 
"the National Library of the Philippines shall be responsible for rare and 
33 
significant contemporary Philippine books, manuscripts such as, but not 
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limited to, presidential papers, periodicals, newspapers, singly or in 
1 
collection, and libraries and electronic records"; 
2 
(j) To become an institute of lifelong learning; 
3 
(k) To ensure the continuity of funding for the special tasks carried out in 
4 
libraries and centralized services; 
5 
(l) To uphold national pride by maintaining and preserving written history on 
6 
behalf of the government who is responsible for this obligation; 
7 
m) To collect reasonable fees to those who will avail any of its services, such 
8 
as entrance fees for the use of its reading rooms, admission fees for its 
9 
cultural activities. among others; and 
10 
(n) To solicit and/or receive for and on behalf of the government, donations, 
11 
grants, bequests and the like, in relation to the NLP. 
12 
SEC. 5. Functions of the NLP - The NLP shall have the following functions:  
13 
(a) Exercise general supervision over public libraries and develop and minimum 
14 
standard of operations for all public libraries to follow which shall be the 
15 
basis for the evaluation of the performance of the public libraries; 
16 
(b) Provide initial allocation of materials to newly-affiliated public libraries; 
17 
(c) Continue to supply public libraries with other resources not included in the 
18 
initial allocation; 
19 
(d) Invest in the development and introduction of innovative library services; 
20 
and 
21 
(e) Perform such other functions that may be provided by law or in pursuant to 
22 
the purposes and objectives of the NLP. 
23 
SEC. 6. Board of Advisers. - There shall be constituted a Board of Advisers 
24 
which shall meet with the Management of the NLP at least twice a year to assist it in 
25 
aligning its policies and plans with the cultural, political and socioeconomic 
26 
development needs of the nation and with the demands of world-class resources of 
27 
information. 
28 
The Board of Advisers shall be composed of the following: 
29 
(a) the Chairperson of the NCCA as chairperson; 
30 
(b) the Secretary of the Department of Education, as co-chairperson; 
31 
(c) the Chairperson of the Commission of Higher Education 
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(d) the Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology; 
1 
(e) the Secretary of the Department of Information and Communications 
2 
Technology; 
3 
(f) the President of the Philippine Librarian Association, Inc.; and 
4 
(g) the Commissioner of the NLP 
5 
SEC. 7. Management of the NLP. - The Management of the NLP shall be 
6 
composed of three (3) members. The Commissioner and two (2) Deputy 
7 
Commissioners for Operations and Administration, respectively. The Commissioner 
8 
and the two (2) Deputy Commissioners shall be appointed by the President of the 
9 
Philippines for a fixed term of six (6) years. Vacancies in the Commission shall be filled 
10 
in the same manner in which the original appointment was made. 
11 
The Commissioner must be at least thirty-five (35) years of age and of good 
12 
moral character, unquestionable integrity and known probity. Furthermore, the 
13 
Commissioner must have a master's degree, 120 hours of managerial training for the 
14 
last five years, five years of supervisory experience, Career Service Executive or 
15 
Career Executive Service eligibility, and the Commissioner must be a licensed 
16 
librarian and a recognized expert in the field of information and library science. The 
17 
Commissioner shall enjoy the benefits, privileges and emoluments equivalent to the 
18 
rank of Undersecretary. 
19 
The Deputy Commissioners must be a licensed librarian and a recognized 
20 
expert in the field of information and library science. The Deputy Commissioners shall 
21 
enjoy the benefits, privileges, and emoluments equivalent to the rank of Assistant 
22 
Secretary. 
23 
SEC. 8. Powers and Functions of the Commissioner. - The management of 
24 
the NLP shall be vested in the Commissioner who shall have the following powers and 
25 
duties: 
26 
(a) Serve as Chief Executive Officer of NLP, and directly manage, direct, and 
27 
supervise its day-to-day operations and internal administration; 
28 
(b) Sign all agreements and contracts entered into for and in behalf of the NLP, 
29 
such as, but not limited to, deeds of sale or donation for the acquisition of 
30 
books and other Filipiniana materials, contracts for consultation services, 
31 
and memoranda of agreement; 
32 
(c) Approve and authorize registration and issuance of copyright; 
33 
(d) Establish policies, standards, and guidelines related to the operation of the 
34 
NLP and the maintenance of the NLP system; 
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(e) Formulate and implement reasonable rules and regulations; 
1 
(f) Execute orders and directives from the NLP Board of Advisers; 
2 
(g) Appoint NLP personnel whose appointments are not vested in the 
3 
President, and discipline them according to Civil Service Rules; 
4 
(h) Direct the preparation of annual reports and budget; 
5 
(i) Represent NLP before any government office; and 
6 
(j) Exercise such other powers as may be necessary in the performance of his 
7 
duties and which may be vested in him/her by law, rule or regulation. 
8 
SEC. 9. Powers and Functions of the Deputy Commissioner. - The Deputy 
9 
Commissioners shall assist the Commissioner in the overall management of the NLP 
10 
and shall have the following functions and duties: 
11 
(a) Assist the commissioner in planning, directing, supervising, and 
12 
coordinating the functions of NLP; 
13 
(b) Assist in the formulation of policies and program activities of the office; 
14 
(b) Assist in organizing and directing the program of activities of the office as 
15 
well as the application procedures and standards; 
16 
(d) Supervise the preparation of periodic and special reports; and 
17 
(e) Act for the Commissioner in case of temporary incapacity or absence, 
18 
subject to the provisions of Section 9 of this Act. 
19 
SEC. 10. Power to Delegate. - The Commissioner may, by an instrument in 
20 
writing, delegate any function under this Act, subject to conditions, limitations or 
21 
restrictions as may be decided upon, to a person or class of persons who may perform 
22 
those functions in the same manner and with the same effect as if those functions had 
23 
beer conferred on them under this Act, subject to the provision of Sec. 40, Chapter 8, 
24 
Book IV of Executive Order No.292. 
25 
SEC. 11. The Divisions of The NLP. - The Administration of the NLP shall be 
26 
divided into 12 Subdivisions, each headed by a Division Chief who must be a licensed 
27 
librarian, as follows: 
28 
(a) Readers Services Division (RSD) shall provide information, reference, and 
29 
research services and resources to library users, and shall maintain reading 
30 
room services for said purpose. It shall maintain and preserve foreign 
31 
library materials as well as select and recommend which library materials 
32 
shall be acquired by NLP. 
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(b) Copyright Division (CD) shall implement the provisions of Republic Act No. 
1 
8293 as amended, otherwise known as the Intellectual Property Code 
2 
which is a) to receive registration of literary and artistic works and deposit 
3 
with the NLP and the Supreme Court Library (SCL) for the purpose of 
4 
completing the records of the NLP under the SCL; b) assign an exclusive 
5 
license upon registration; c) receive the written instrument which names the 
6 
person or persons to be charged with the posthumous enforcements of 
7 
these rights; and, d) the power to determine and collect such fees for the 
8 
discharge of services under the Act. 
9 
(c) Special Services Division (SSD) shall ensure that the facilities are 
10 
accessible for all. It shall: a) assist persons with disabilities and senior 
11 
citizens in accessing various information; b) maintain and organize Braille, 
12 
LP, and audio tapes; c) transcribe print to Braille and convert reference 
13 
books to audio tapes; d) prepare guides to collections for persons with 
14 
disabilities; and e) undertake such other functions as may be necessary to 
15 
cater to persons with disabilities and senior citizens. 
16 
(d) Technical Services Division (TSD) shall be responsible with the organization 
17 
of printed materials with regards to its technical aspects, including, but not 
18 
limited to bibliographic services, cataloguing, and other related services. 
19 
(e) Human Resource Management Division (HRMD) shall be responsible for 
20 
the selection, hiring, appointment, transfer, promotion, or dismissal of 
21 
personnel. Such system shall aim to establish professionalism and 
22 
excellence at all levels of the NLP in accordance with sound principles of 
23 
management; 
24 
(f) Finance and Administrative Division (FAD) shall implement and execute the 
25 
policies laid down by the Commissioner relative to the organization, 
26 
operation, and functions of the library. It shall coordinate the activities of the 
27 
various divisions with respect to administrative and support services. 
28 
(g) Information Technology Division (ITD) shall be responsible for the effective 
29 
use of information and communication technology (ICT) geared towards the 
30 
improvement of delivery of information and mandated services as well as 
31 
the improvement of the internal business processes of the NLP. 
32 
(h) Public Libraries Division (PLD) shall implement the provisions of this law on 
33 
the Public Library System, in cooperation with local government units. It 
34 
shall be the primary liaison of the NLP with all public libraries in the country. 
35 
It shall monitor and enforce the minimum standards, qualifications, and 
36 
services as stated in Section 11 of this Charter. It shall conduct training for 
37 
public librarians and assist in the operation of public services. 
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(i) Preservation and Conservation Division (PCD) shall be responsible for the 
1 
conservation of the Library's paper-based special collections through 
2 
activities including: conservation assessment, treatment, research, and 
3 
housing; storage materials procurement and testing; environmental 
4 
monitoring and analysis; exhibition, loan, and digitization evaluation and 
5 
preparation; collections emergency management and 
6 
(j) Policy, Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Division (PPMED) shall provide 
7 
planning standard guidelines for preparing the short, medium, and long term 
8 
plans of the NLP; integrate central and regional plans for funding and 
9 
investment proposals; provide a mechanism for monitoring physical and 
10 
financial accomplishments; coordinate with different units and offices 
11 
affiliated with the NLP the conduct of policy studies and review for effective, 
12 
efficient and economical operations of the Library and generate reports for 
13 
policy purposes; coordinate the installation and design of the NLP's central 
14 
and regional management information system that will provide up-to-date 
15 
information necessary for the management's policy formulation and decision-
16 
making functions; and coordinate the NLP's policy, planning, program 
17 
development and information systems management activities with the 
18 
appropriate offices of the NCCA to ensure coherence and consistency of the 
19 
NLP's policies, plans and programs with the Commission's plans and 
20 
programs. 
21 
(k) External Affairs Division (EAD) shall be responsible for ensuring enhanced 
22 
and more effective engagement of the NLP with the external community, and 
23 
building partnerships to support the use of the NLP for development. 
24 
(l) Public Online Library Division (ELD) shall manage the library's electronic 
25 
resources: website, databases, e-books, and electronic periodicals. It shall 
26 
collaborate with the Collection Development Section to evaluate and select 
27 
new resources. It shall also monitor bibliographic management operations 
28 
and the development of applications for public use in collaboration with the 
29 
Information Technology Division. 
30 
Each Division Chief must be a licensed librarian and shall be appointed by the 
31 
Management of the NLP. The Division Chief shall develop and implement plans and 
32 
programs for the Division. The Division Chief shall also perform the following functions: 
33 
a) assist in the formulation of library policies, rules and regulations, b) administer 
34 
library policies and implement rules and regulations to the division, c) submit reports 
35 
and approve communications, d) issue certifications for legal purposes, and e) perform 
36 
other duties that may be assigned by the Commissioner from time to time. 
37 
SEC. 12. Public Libraries in Local Government Units. - Public Libraries shall 
38 
be a permanent institution in the organizational structure of Local Government Units 
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(LGU). Such Public Library Office will function as the public library of the LGU and 
1 
shall also exercise administrative functions similar to an office. 
2 
It shall have the following functions: 
3 
(a) To make available to the members of the community reading materials of 
4 
wide array, including reading materials prescribed by the DepEd, CHEd, the NCCA, 
5 
the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) printed or digital 
6 
materials endemic to the Local Government Units (LGU), national and local 
7 
newspapers of general circulation and others. 
8 
(b) To be used as a venue for audio-visual presentation in the community and 
9 
other kinds of exhibitions and activities aimed at increasing the literacy rate by 
10 
government agencies nongovernmental organizations or private entities in the 
11 
dissemination of information of general interest; 
12 
(c) To partner with local libraries and schools; and 
13 
(d) To offer such other related services in furtherance of this Act. 
14 
SEC. 13. Establishment of Provincial, City, and Municipal Libraries and 
15 
Barangay Reading Centers. - Each province, city, and municipality shall establish 
16 
provincial, city and municipal public libraries and barangay reading centers except in 
17 
provinces, cities, or municipalities where there are existing public libraries or in 
18 
barangays where there are existing reading centers: Provided, That the establishment 
19 
of such libraries and reading centers shall be based on the development program of 
20 
the NLP, taking in consideration the latest developments in computer and electronic 
21 
library technologies, in coordination with the development council of each city or 
22 
municipality and in the case of the barangay reading centers, in coordination with the 
23 
respective barangay councils: Provided, Further, That where these public libraries and 
24 
reading centers already exist, the NLP shall continue to upgrade the facilities thereof 
25 
with complete standard sets of books, e-books, online research resources and other 
26 
materials as provided in Sec. 8 of this act as well as the latest electronic library system 
27 
using computers for storing, cataloguing, and filing of data and materials: Provided, 
28 
finally, that by the year 2022, all cities and municipalities of the Philippines shall be 
29 
provided with an electronically operated library system. 
30 
The NLP shall continue to coordinate and organize seminars, workshops and 
31 
other training for the professional benefit of librarians. The NLP shall strive to improve 
32 
and maintain the relevance, effectiveness, and efficiency of all libraries in relation to 
33 
the socio-economic development of their respective communities. 
34 
SEC. 14. Period of Establishment of Congressional, City, and Municipal 
35 
Libraries and Barangay Reading Centers. - The overall national plan of 
36 
implementation shall cover initially a period of five (5) years: Congressional districts, 
37 
cities, and municipalities with no existing public libraries, as well as barangays situated 
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in remote, isolated and rural areas, shall have priority in the allocation of resources 
1 
centers. 
2 
Within one hundred twenty (120) days from the effectivity of this Act, the NLP, 
3 
in consultation with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), the 
4 
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the DICT and the different local 
5 
government units, shall come out with the list of priority areas, taking into account the 
6 
commitment of the local government units in the establishment and maintenance of 
7 
public libraries and barangay reading. 
8 
The NLP shall ensure that all sites for libraries and reading centers shall be 
9 
equipped with the necessary facilities to fulfill its mandate. It shall provide continuous 
10 
support and, in coordination with the implementing agencies, further develop and 
11 
enhance all library facilities, relevant library resources, and dynamic services that 
12 
contribute to the intellectual, social, and cultural development of the Filipino society. 
13 
SEC. 15. National Network of Libraries. - The NLP, as the central agency 
14 
mandated to promote and establish national and international standards in library and 
15 
information services, shall create a Quality Manual of Libraries of the Philippines which 
16 
shall contain the minimum standards, qualifications, and services which must be 
17 
performed by all libraries which will be affiliated, supervised, and supported by the 
18 
NLP. It shall further create a National Registry of Libraries throughout the country 
19 
which complies with the minimum standards, qualifications, and services as 
20 
determined by the NLP for the Congressional, City, and Municipal Libraries, and 
21 
Barangay Reading Centers, as the case may be, which have been set forth in the 
22 
Quality Manual of Libraries of the Philippines. Each Public Library Office shall be 
23 
headed by a licensed librarian and the staffing pattern shall be in compliance with and 
24 
pursuant to the provisions of Republic Act No. 9246. 
25 
The NLP shall provide the standard set of reference books and other materials 
26 
such as, but not limited to, encyclopedias, dictionaries, maps and globes upon the 
27 
establishment of the libraries. The NLP shall continue to supply the public libraries with 
28 
other books, non-book materials, equipment, supplies and other appropriate and 
29 
relevant reference and reading materials, taking into consideration the needs of the 
30 
community concerned. 
31 
SEC. 16. Overall Coordinating Authority. - The NLP shall be under the 
32 
administrative supervision of the NCCA. 
33 
SEC. 17. Public Online Library. - The NLP shall establish a versatile and 
34 
comprehensive computer and electronic library system which shall supplement the 
35 
complete standard set of books to be provided to public libraries and reading centers 
36 
with e-books, online research resources, and other similar materials. The Public 
37 
Online Library shall be developed in coordination with the DepEd, DICT, DOST, the 
38 
Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and the Technical Education and Skills 
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Development Authority (TESDA), in partnership with the National Library of the 
1 
Philippines, the National Book Development Board, and other concerned government 
2 
agencies. 
3 
The DepEd shall also provide the NLP with digitized copies of all textbooks and 
4 
reference materials which they deem necessary for the public education of Philippine 
5 
Elementary and Secondary Students. The Public Online Library shall be jointly 
6 
managed by the NLP, DICT, and DepEd. 
7 
The NLP shall have custody over the digitized copies of all books, textbooks, 
8 
reference materials, and other resources to be included in the Public Online Library. 
9 
The DICT shall take charge of the technological management of the digital repository 
10 
to ensure the integrity of the system. 
11 
SEC. 18. Annual Report. - Within ninety (90) days from the approval of this 
12 
Act, and at the end of every calendar year thereafter, the Commissioner of the NLP 
13 
shall submit detailed progress reports on the progress, condition, and needs of the 
14 
NLP to the Office of the President of the Philippines and each House of Congress. 
15 
SEC. 19. Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on the National 
16 
Library of the Philippines. - There is hereby created a Joint Oversight Committee to 
17 
oversee, monitor and evaluate the implementation of this Act. 
18 
The Oversight Committee shall be composed of five (5) members each from 
19 
the Senate and from the House of Representatives, including the Chairs of the 
20 
Committees on Basic Education and Culture, and Finance in the Senate and 
21 
Appropriations in the House of Representatives. The membership of the Committee 
22 
for each House shall have at least one (1) opposition or minority member. 
23 
SEC. 20. Tax Exemptions of The National Library of the Philippines. - The 
24 
importation of equipment relating to creative industry, books, art related supplies, 
25 
musical instruments, materials and goods, including those donated to the NLP shall 
26 
be exempt from customs duty in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act No. 
27 
10863, otherwise known as the "Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA)": 
28 
Provided, That these are of international standards and are not available from local 
29 
manufacturers: Provided, further, That the importation shall only be in such numbers 
30 
as may be required in the development programs and/or training of librarians, staff, 
31 
and the general public, as the case may be: Provided, finally, That all importations 
32 
shall be made in the name of the NLP as recipient and shall be immediately registered 
33 
in the name of the NLP. 
34 
SEC. 21. Tax Exemption on Donations. - All grants, bequest, endowments, 
35 
donations and contributions made to the NLP that are actually, directly, and exclusively 
36 
used by the NLP, shall be exempt from donor's tax and the same shall be considered 
37 
as allowable deduction from the gross income in the computation of the income tax of 
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the donor in accordance with the provisions of the National Internal Revenue Code of 
1 
1997, as amended. 
2 
SEC. 22. Trust. - All income, fees, and revenues earned and collected by the 
3 
Agency shall constitute a trust fund in the name of NLP to be managed and used by 
4 
NLP to further carry out its functions. All incomes, fees, revenues, and donations 
5 
earned and collected by the NLP shall constitute a trust fund, to be known as the 
6 
National Library Fund, which the NLP shall be authorized to retain, without need of a 
7 
separate approval from any government agency, and subject only to existing 
8 
accounting and auditing rules and regulations. This fund shall be expended as 
9 
authorized by the NLP Management exclusively for the purposes of this Act. 
10 
SEC 23. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the effective 
11 
implementation of this Act shall be included in the NLP budget in the annual General 
12 
Appropriations Act. The budget for the initial allocation and additional allocation for 
13 
public libraries shall be included in the GAA of the year following its enactment and for 
14 
every year thereafter. The budget for every public library shall be determined by the 
15 
respective LGUs. 
16 
The local government units shall undertake the maintenance of public libraries 
17 
and reading centers while the NLP shall continue to provide reading materials and 
18 
supplies to the said libraries and reading centers. 
19 
SEC. 24. Implementing Agencies. - The NLP, in coordination with the NCCA, 
20 
DepEd, CHED, TESDA, DILG, DICT, and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) 
21 
shall be responsible for implementing the provisions of this Act. 
22 
Within (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the implementing agencies shall 
23 
promulgate the implementing rules and regulations as may be necessary to ensure 
24 
the efficient and effective implementation of this Act. Provided, The NLP shall include 
25 
the evaluation scheme/accreditation for the public libraries while the DILG shall 
26 
include sanctions for non-compliance of LGUs. 
27 
SEC. 25. Separability Clause. - Should any part of this Act be declared 
28 
unconstitutional or inoperative, the other provisions not so declared shall remain in 
29 
force and effect. 
30 
SEC. 26. Repealing Clause. - Act Nos. 222, 1849, 1935, 2572, 3477, 
31 
Executive Order 94, Republic Act No. Three Thousand Eight Hundred Seventy-Three 
32 
(R.A. 3873), otherwise known as "An Act Changing the Name of the Bureau of Public 
33 
Libraries to the National Library," and Republic Act No. Ten Thousand Eighty-Seven 
34 
(R.A. No. 10087), otherwise known as "An Act Amending Republic Act No. 3873, 
35 
Entitled An Act Changing the Name of the Bureau of Public Libraries To The National 
36 
Library" are hereby repealed. The provisions of other laws, decrees, executive orders, 
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rules and regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or 
1 
modified accordingly. 
2 
SEC. 27. Effectivity. - Notwithstanding the non-issuance of an Implementing 
3 
Rules and Regulations, this Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication 
4 
in the Official Gazette and/or in at least two (2) national newspapers in general 
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circulation. 
6 
Approved,