Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

7330

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representative EVELINA G. ESCUDERO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Republic Act 7743 declares as a national policy to promote the moral and
intellectual well-being of the people and to recognize the vital role of knowledge and
information in nation-building by establishing public libraries in every city and
municipality, and reading centers in every barangay all over the country.

This policy recognizes the patent complementary relationship between education
and the library. Formal instructions in schools are enriched by the varied materials
available in the library. The library offers not only a wealth of resources but also of
possibilities beyond what is offered in the four corners of the classroom.

CV. Penna, in his UNESCO published book, wrote, “As a communications center
the library has a part to play in developing a teaching force capable of breaking with traditional
methods which are inadequate at a time when both social concepts and the content of knowledge
are changing so rapidly.”" A statement which is even more relevant today with the rapid
change in which the people access, consume and relay all forms of content. The library
is indeed indispensable in reinforcing formal education.

Abroad as well as in some cities in the country, the library is also at the forefront
of cultural endeavors. Cebu City’s public library, the Rizal Memorial Library and
Museum, showcases Cebuano arts in paintings, sculptures and plays. More
importantly, it responded and adapted to the changing needs, preference and study

1 V. Penna, The Planning Of Library And Documentation Services, UNESCO, 1970.


habits of the Cebuanos as it opened its services to the public for twenty-four hours
everyday. Thousands of students and guests flock to the library to study and use its
services and other facilities. It is now regarded as one of the important public
institutions in the City and an example to other Local Government Units (LGUs) on
how to run a facility that best serves the needs of the community.

At present there are two laws that prescribe the establishment of public libraries
in the LGUs- Republic Act No. 7160, “An Act Providing For A Local Government Code Of
1991", and Republic Act No. 7743, “An Act Providing For The Establishment Of
Congressional, City And Municipal Libraries And Barangay Reading Centers Throughout The
Philippines.” However, these laws are silent as to the mandatory nature of the
establishment of public libraries.

Thus, this bill seeks to firmly establish a public library in each city and
municipality and a reading center in each barangay by mandating the LGUs to establish
a library or a reading center, as the case maybe, as provided in R.A. 7160, and to
provide the corresponding budget for the purpose. The budget source so proposed in
this bill is ofcourse subject to further deliberations and amenable to any changes to
ensure the financial capacity and equity viability of all stakeholders for the realization
of the poilicy set forth in this bill.

This bill is in recognition of the vital role of libraries as an ally of education in
helping the youth and the public to form the right attitudes, develop abilities and
provide tools and practical skills for tackling economic and social problems? that aid in

nation-building.

In view of the foregoing, consideration of this bill to address the intended

Me

EVELINA ESCUDERO,

purpose is respectfully requested

2 Ibid.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House Bill No. wD

Introduced by Representative EVELINA G. ESCUDERO

AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A PUBLIC
LIBRARY IN ALL CITIES AND MUNICIPALITIES AND A READING
CENTER IN ALL BARANGAYS, REPEALING FOR THE PURPOSE
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7743

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

Section. 1. Declaration of Policy. It is hereby declared as a policy of the State,
consistent with the constitutional provisions on education and national development, to
promote the moral and intellectual well-being of the people and recognize the vital role
of knowledge and information in nation-building by establishing a public library in
every city and municipality, and a reading center in every barangay all over the

country.

Sec 2. Title - This Act shall be known and referred to as the “Mandatory
Establishment of Public Libraries and Reading Centers Act of 2020.”

Sec. 3. Establishment of Public Libraries and Barangay Reading Centers. -
Within one (1) year from effectivity of this act, there shall be a mandatory establishment
of a public library in each city and municipality, and a reading center in each barangay,
by the local government unit (LGU), with the necessary budgetary appropriations
covering the operating expenditures and capital outlays for the purpose, except in cities


or municipalities where there are existing public libraries or in barangays where there
are existing reading centers.

Sec. 4. Site. - The establishment of the public libraries and reading centers shall
be an integral part of the development plan of each local government unit: provided,
that the each barangay shall provide the site for barangay reading center.

Sec. 5. Public Library Office. - There shall be a Public Library Office in each city
and municipality which shall function as the public library of the city or municipality,
and shall exercise administrative functions of an office.

Sec. 6. Staffing Pattern, - There should be a staffing pattern for the
establishment of the public libraries and reading centers which shall be an integral part
of the development plan of each local government unit.

Sec. 7. Functions of the Public Libraries and Barangay Reading Centers. - The
public libraries and barangay reading centers shall have the following functions:

a) Make available to the members of the community a varied selection of reading
materials, including materials prescribed by the Department of Education
(DepEd), national newspapers of general circulation, and other educational

materials;

b) Venue for community audio-visual presentations, exhibitions and other
activities aimed at increasing literacy, cultural awareness, and civic
responsibility among the constituents; and

c) Offer such other related services in the furtherance of this Act.

Sec. 8. Role of the National Library of the Philippines. The National Library of
the Philippines (NLP) shall have the following functions:

a.) Exercise general supervision over public libraries through an accreditation
and evaluation scheme developed by the NLP;

b) Provide list of standard materials such as but not limited to encyclopedias,
dictionaries, maps, globes and other materials necessary for the
establishment of the libraries and reading centers;


©) Coordinate and organize seminars, workshops and other trainings for the
professional benefit of the public librarians; and

d.) Offer such other related services in the furtherance of this Act.

Sec. 9. Appropriations. - The funds necessary to carry out the provisions of this
Act shall be sourced from the national government and may be augmented by the
concerned LGU. Funds for the sustainable management of public libraries and
barangay reading centers shall be included in the regular budget of the LGU and those
that may be provided by the national government, and from grants and donations.

Sec. 10. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days after the
effectivity of this Act, the DepEd and the National Library in coordination with the local
government leagues and the Department of the Interior and Local Government shall
promulgate the rules and regulations to implement this Act.

Sec. 11. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, and rules and regulations
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified
accordingly.

Sec. 12. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part of this Act is held invalid
or unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain valid and
subsisting.

Sect. 13. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation or in the Official Gazette.

Approved,