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Constitution Hills, Batasan Complex, Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

5837
House Bill No.

Introduced by ALFELITO “ALFEL” M. BASCUG, Representative,
4ST Legislative District of Agusan del Sur.

AN ACT AMENDING SEC. 6 OF 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, APPROPRIATING
THE NECESSARY FUNDS THEREFORE AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”
AND PROVIDING FOR ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS NOT PRESENTLY
INCLUDED IN THE LAW BY MAKING USE OF THE ESTABLISHED
LIBRARIES SITUATED IN MUNICIPALITIES, CITIES, PROVINCES AND
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS WITH BIG STATE UNIVERSITIES AND/OR
PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES AS 24/7 STUDY HUBS OR LEARNING HUBS
FOR STUDENTS AND PROFESSIONALS

Explanatory Note

The passage of Republic Act 7743 also known as “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’ or the Philippine Library
Law, had brought significant resolution to the public necessity of having a
public library. Being a recognized necessity, it serves as an information
artillery for students, professionals and the public at large. All the while, the
purpose of establishing public libraries is frequently intertwined with the
educational sector. Indeed, its creation is a recognition of the State’s
imperative duty to protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality
education at all levels and to take appropriate steps to make such education
accessible to all pursuant to its declared policies as enunciated in Article XIV,
Sec. 1 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution. Further, even assuming that a



legislation of this kind is has not been enacted; itis a cherished policy for local
government units to maintain a public library as part of its duty to deliver basic
services and facilities.

Apart from the above-anchored provisions, the need for a public library
is not only limited to its existence. The opportunity to use the establishment is
of significant consideration since it has been a common dilemma for the target
users (students, professionals, general public, etc.) to experience time
constraints due to personal commitments and demands of work. In view of the
following concerns, this legislation is aimed at bridging the connection of the
establishment's purpose and the users for proper utilization. Hence, the object
of this legislation to expand the operating hours of the established public
libraries into a 24-hour operation in a week. It can certainly accommodate
students and professionals who wish to study beyond the regular library
hours. In effect, a 24-hour library ensures that students can study in a flexible
manner at a place that is conducive and hassle-free instead of going to coffee
shops or fast-food chains where they need to shell out money for food or drink
so they will be allowed to gain internet access and get their schoolwork done.

The amendment introduced by this legislation is aimed at utilizing the
established libraries by R.A. 7743. In doing so, there is no need to subsidize
the construction of new buildings in furtherance of this Act since the existing
public libraries already established under the Philippine Library Law is to be
used. In fact, this will further develop the preservation and maintenance of the
libraries since its operations and use will be regular.

Indeed, this legislation has already been implemented in various local
governments throughout the country particularly in Cebu, Makati and Quezon
City. This action has gathered positive result and hence it appeared that the
need to nationalize this legislation is vital most especially to the students and
working professionals whose workloads demands effort in research and
education. Further, this measure is secured in order to elevate the learning
capacities of students as well as the working professionals in every place
where public library has been established.

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

lave! M. Seva,


Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Constitution Hills, Batasan Complex, Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. __5837

Introduced by ALFELITO “ALFEL” M. BASCUG, Representative,
1ST Legislative District of Agusan del Sur.

AN ACT AMENDING SEC. 6 OF 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, APPROPRIATING
THE NECESSARY FUNDS THEREFORE AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”
AND PROVIDING FOR ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS NOT PRESENTLY
INCLUDED IN THE LAW BY MAKING USE OF THE ESTABLISHED
LIBRARIES SITUATED IN MUNICIPALITIES, CITIES, PROVINCES AND
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS WITH BIG STATE UNIVERSITIES AND/OR
PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES AS 24/7 STUDY HUBS OR LEARNING HUBS
FOR STUDENTS AND PROFESSIONALS

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

SECTION 1. Definition of Terms. The following terms as used in this Act
shall be defined as follows:

a. Big State Universities and or Private
Universities- these educational institutions
which are publicly-operated as for a State
University or privately-owned and operated for
a Private University or School in the Philippines
which accommodates huge number of students

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enrolled in the institution as determined by the
Commission on Higher Education.

b. Study Hub or Learning hub- A study hub or a
learning hub are terms that may be
interchangeably used in this Act which refers to
an area or space, such as a public library
where students and professionals can utilize to
study therein and conduct research, paper
works and other school or work-related matters.
It also refers to a technology-rich learning
environment with both physical and virtual
components that provide formal and informal
opportunities for learners to come together with
peers, teachers, and other experts in their field.
Here, individuals can access relevant
knowledge and information, enlist support from
educators and other learners, and, in so doing,
develop new opportunities to improve their
livelihoods for professionals and develop
learning capacities for students.

c. 24/7- means "24 hours a day, 7 days a week"
and is used to describe a service that is
continuous and is always available (day or
night); such that as used in this Act, it shall
refer to the whole day operation of the public
library concerned.

SECTION 2. Section 6 of RA 7743 is hereby amended to read
as follows:

Sec. 6. Functions of the Public Libraries and

Barangay Reading Centers. - The public libraries
and barangay reading centers shall have the

following functions:

a) to make available to the members of the
community reading materials of wide array including
reading materials prescribed by the Department of
Education Culture and Sports and national
newspapers of general circulation and others;

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b) to 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) TO BE USED AS A STUDY HUB OR
LEARNING HUB FOR STUDENTS AND
PROFESSIONALS;

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

SECTION 3. Operations- The public libraries covered by this Act shall
operate 24/7 or in twenty-four (24) hours a day in a week.

SECTION 4. Scope and Coverage. This Act shall be adopted by Local
Government Units throughout the Philippines with established public libraries
in their respective jurisdictions as provided in R.A. 7743. The determination of
libraries which will be covered by this Act shall depend on the number of target
users who are students and professionals of neighboring Big State
Universities and Private Universities situated in the jurisdiction of the Local
Government Unit concerned. For purposes of determining such State
Universities and Private Universities, the Commission on Higher Education
shall provide a list to this effect.

SECTION 5. 24/7 Services- The public library covered by this Act shall be
made available to the target users for the whole day or in 24/7 availability.
Library rules shall effectively apply to all users. Further, that in order to avail
the 24/7 services of the public library, only students and professionals
reaching the age of majority shall be allowed to work overnight. This is
however without prejudice to areas or places that have functional ordinances
or regulations respecting curfew hours. In case of conflict with such
ordinances or regulations, the latter prevails.

SECTION 6. Personnel- Personnel or employees already assigned, detailed,
or employed under the office of the public library in their respective places
shall be the same personnel who shall ensure the operation and management
of the public library. They shall however be subject to proper compensation for
services rendered in overnight operations in addition to their daily minimum
salary in compliance with the laws and regulations relating to compensation.

The appointing authority shall be allowed to appoint additional
personnel as may be necessary to carry out the purpose of this Act.

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SECTION 7. Duty of Concerned Agencies- The Local Government Units
through the Department of Interior and Local Government in coordination with
the National Library and the Commission on Higher Education shall enter into
a Memorandum of Agreement for further implementation of this Act.

SECTION 8. Separability Clause. - |f any provision of this Act or the
application of such provision to any person or circumstance is declared
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or the application of such provision
to other person or circumstance shall not be affected by such declaration.

SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. -All laws, decrees, letters of instructions,
executive orders and rules and regulations and other issuances or parts
thereof in consistent or in conflict with any provision of this Act.

SECTION 10. Effectivity Clause. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days

after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general
circulation.

Approved,