'REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS 
) 
) 
) 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 1093 
Introduced by Senator Manny Villar 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The library, I believe, is the last of our public institutions 
to which you can go without credentials. 
You don't even need the sticker on your windshield 
that you need 10 get into the public beach. 
All you need is the willingness to read. 
- Harry Golden -
'flf " IH ( 
For the longest period, libraries have been and shall always be the engines of 
civilization's progress. It is the repo~itory of civilization's great traditions: the gathering 
and dissemination of hard-won human wisdom. 
It is one institution that serves as the gateway to the past, the present and the 
future. In the library, one can find .the resources to examine and confront our most 
difficult problems. Libraries provide individuals the weapon to hurdle obstacles and the 
remarkable power to change. 
In recent years, however, there is cause for serious concern about the apparent 
decline in the utilization of libraries. The same is an aftermath of the continuing decline 
in reading. 
. 
Eight years ago, in a nationwide survey on Filipino youth by McCann Erickson 
(Philippine Business Magazine, 2001) reported that during free time, 88% watch TV, 73 
% listen to the radio, 50 % read books, 37 % use the internet and 12 % use cell phones. 
According to educator Patricia Licuanan, in her paper "Books and Schools" delivered in 
2007, the above mentioned figures may have dramatically changed since this particular 
survey with increase in the use of' cell phones and internet. She observed that, "in 
contrast to subways in Tokyo and New York, hardly anyone reads in our MRT and LRT 
lines. Those who do read the free tabloid Libre printed by Philippine Daily Inquirer. In 
public schools, teachers lament how stUdents no longer read. Even in thcir homes, their 
parents do not buy/read newspap~rs preferring to spend their 20 pesos on food or 
transportation." 
Dr. Licuanan further stated, "the decline in reading is generally attributed to a 
number of factors. Poverty has been identified as a major culprit. Poor children have 
little access to reading materials in school and at home. Books are often considered a 
luxury. The libraries of poor communities are inferior and are open less. Then again, we 
have counter examples of how the decline in the reading culture may not be completely 
attributed to poverty as homes of well-off families often have toys and gadgets more 


visible than books. Increased participation in a variety of electronic media, including the 
internet, video games, and portable' digital services has been found to correlate with 
decline in reading. Spending for electronics has surpassed spending for books." 
This legislation is submitted with humble missions: to promote the establishments 
of mobile libraries, bringing it closer ,to the users and encouraging the citizens to read 
books and readin~ materials again. . 
Early cognizance of this legislation is earnestly sought. 


REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
) 
) 
) 
Senate Bill No. 1 093 
Introduced by Senator Manny Villar 
AN ACT 
~, . 
PROMOTING THE ESTABLISHMENTS OF MOBILE LIBRARIES, 
PROVIDING TACTICAL, AND INGENIOUS INITIATIVES FOR ITS 
IMPLEMENTATION AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. This Act shall be cited as the "Love for Reading: 
Mobile Libraries of the Philippines Act of 2010. 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is declared a policy of the State to 
protect and promote the right of the citizens to quality education and to take 
appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all. Towards this end, 
the State shall provide the necessary framework and resources for the 
implementation of educational programs, projects and services; encouraging 
local initiatives for the improveme.nt of the citizens. 
Toward this end, it is the objective of this Act to give meaning and accord 
full significance to the said const"itutional provision by promoting one of the most 
significant aspects of education: reading. And the same can be achieved through 
the creation of mobile libraries. 
Mobile Libraries. The mobile library is a service or an activity of many 
types of libraries. It is settled to facilitate users who find it inconvenient to go to 
the library because of the distance, time, expense, lack of knowledge on library, 
and the lack of reading habit. 
SEC. 3. Government Initiative in the Creation of Mobile Libraries. 
Beginning the year this Act is approved, the amount of one hundred million pesos 
(Php 100,000,000.00) is hereby appropriated from the combined earnings of the 
Philippine Amusement and gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and Philippine 
Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO). The budgetary support must be continued 
for seven (7) years or longer, upon reasonable determination of the usefulness, 
relevance and effectiveness of, r:nobile libraries as tools for education and 
empowerment of the citizens. 
The National Library of the Philippines shall be the main government 
agency to implement the provisions of this Act. The National Library shall consult 
relevant 
and 
concerned 
private 
and 
public 
offices, 
non-government 
organizations, members of the academe and local government leaders on 
1 


matters that will best promote .and implement the establishments of mobile 
libraries and its effective utilization. 
SEC. 4. Incentives for P~ivate Corporations that will Adopt, Donate or 
Establish Mobile Libraries. The Department of Finance shall issue the relevant 
guidelines that will provide fiscal and tax incentives to private companies, 
organizations and foreign donors that will adopt, donate or establish mobile 
libraries in the country. 
SEC. 5. Other Activities That Can Be Sponsored by Mobile Libraries. To 
implement the objectives and aims of this Act, mobile libraries can be used to 
sponsor and conduct book wee~s, book fairs, book clubs, recognition rites for 
frequent borrowers, displaying new books and featured selections/collections, 
exposition of library instruction programs, among others. 
Mobile libraries can also engage in sponsoring livelihood programs, 
walking tours of historic and cultural heritage areas, socio-economic workshops 
and trainings and others. 
SEC. 6. Implementing Rules and RegUlations. The National Library of the 
Philippines in consultation with relevant offices shall issue the necessary rules 
and regulations sixty (60) days after the approval of this Act. 
SEC. 7. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared 
invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions not so declared shall remain in 
force and effect. 
SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and 
regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or 
modified accordingly. 
SEC. 9. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen days after its 
complete publication in the Official Gazette. 
Approved, 
2