Republic of the Philippines
House Or REPRESENTATIVES

Quezon City, Metro Manila
Sixteenth Congress

First Regular Session
HOUSEBILLNO.__3626

Introduced by Honorable Herminia B. Roman

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to provide the free use of computers with internet access in
all public libraries in the Philippines, amending for the purpose Republic Act
No. 7743, entitled, “An Act Providing For the Establishment of Congressional,
City and Municipal Libraries and Barangay Reading Centers Throughout the
Philippines, Appropriating the Necessary Funds Therefore and For Other
Purposes.”

Republic Act No. 7743 was enacted to 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

At present, there are 688 public libraries in the country: four
congressional district libraries; fifty two provincial libraries; ninety seven city
libraries, and five hundred thirty five municipal libraries.

Public libraries are located in, established and maintained by the
barangay, municipality, city, province, or congressional district that cater
primarily to the information needs of their respective constituents through
reading materials, reference books, and other informative documents. With the
establishment of public libraries throughout the country, the government is
helping the members of the community specially the students to broaden their
research skills, enhance their reading ability aud stimulate their desire for
knowledge.

Although there are many informative materials available’ in public
libraries, it is essential that free use of computers with internet access be
provided to allow the students and the community to explore a wider array of
information necessary for quality education, This will encourage the entire

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community to take advantage of the political, social, economic, educational and
even career opportunities made available through the internet.

The internet is a network of computers, designed to receive and send data
in the form of e-mails, blogs and webcasts. It can be likened to a super-massive
server armed with a plethora of information which is used by billions of people
simultaneously. It is a virtual treasure trove of information. Accessing the
internet becomes a common practice in seeking assistance to gather resources
for homework, office presentation and supplements for other research work. It
has a major effect on education and has played an important role in the
advancement of mankind.

Public libraries, if properly equipped and managed, can be the most
economical and effective source of information that will enhance and promote
moral and intellectual well-being.

In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of this bill is eamestly
sought,

errr Breet

HERMINIA B. ROMAN


Republic of the Philippines
House Or REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Sixteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO,__ 8626

Introduced by Honorable Herminia B. Roman

AN ACT

PROVIDING FOR THE FREE USE OF COMPUTERS WITH
INTERNET ACCESS IN ALL PUBLIC LIBRARIES IN THE
PHILIPPINES, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO.
7743, ENTITLED “AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT
OF CONGRESSIONAL, CITY AND MUNICIPAL LIBRARIES AND
BARANGAY READING CENTERS THROUGHOUT THE PHILIPPINES,
APPROPRIATING THE NECESSARY FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES”

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

SECTION 1, Section 6 of Republic Act No. 7743 is hereby amended to

read as follows:

“SEC. 6. Functions of the Public Libr

ies and Barangay
Reading Centers, ~ The public libraries and barangay reading
centers shall have the following functions:

a) T[t}o make available to the members of the
community FREE USE OF COMPUTERS WITH INTERNET

ACCESS. reading materials of wide array, including reading

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materials prescribed by the Department of Education, Culture and
Sports, and national newspapers of general circulation and others;

b) — T[tJo be used as a venue for audio-visual presentation
in the community and other kinds of exhibitions and activities
aimed at increasing the literacy rate by government agencies, non-
governmental organizations or private entities in the dissemination
of information of general interest; and

c) — T[t]o offer such other related services in furtherance

of this Act.”

SEC. 2. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazetie or in two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,