FIFTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES —)
FIRST REGULAR SESSION )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

1409

House Bill No.
EXPLANATORY NOTE

One of the trends that go hand in hand with the phenomenon of
globalization is the promotion of the use of information technology in various
fields such as business, media, communication and education, With
information technology, learning is no longer restricted within the four walls of
the classroom, nor is it limited to the use of books and magazines.

Republic Act No. 7743 was enacted specifically to put up libraries
and/or reading centers in every city, municipality and barangay in order to
boost the literacy rate of our citizenry. A number of years have passed
already but the intent of the law has yet to be fully implemented.

However, there is a need to upgrade our learning system such that
every learning and reading center will employ the latest computer and
electronic library technology in order to best serve our fellowmen.

In view of the foregoing considerations early passage of this bill is
earnestly sought.

RUFUS B. Rcbfcuez
Wy

MAXIMO B. RODRIGUEZ, JR.


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES =)
FIRST REGULAR SESSION )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

1409

House Bill No.

AN ACT
AMENDING 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”, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 2 of RA 7743 is hereby amended to read as
follows:

Section 2. Establishment of Public Libraries and Reading
Centers. The National Library in coordination with the
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) shall
undertake the establishment of additional public libraries to
serve all congressional districts, cities and municipalities in the
Philippines and reading centers in every barangay except in
cities or municipalities where there are existing public libraries or
in barangays where there are existing public libraries or in
barangays where there are existing reading centers: Provided,
That the establishment program of the National Library shall be
BASED ON THE LATEST COMPUTER AND ELECTRONIC
LIBRARY TECHNOLOGY in coordination with the development
council of each city or municipality and in the case of the
barangay reading centers, in coordination with the respective
barangay councils: Provided, Further, That where these public
libraries and reading centers already exist, the National Library
shall continue to upgrade the facilities thereof. [] WITH
COMPLETE STANDARD SETS OF BOOKS AND OTHER
MATERIALS AS PROVIDED UNDER SEC. 3 OF THIS ACT AS
WELL AS THE LATEST ELECTRONIC LIBRARY SYSTEM
USING COMPUTERS FOR STORING, CATALOGING, AND
FILING OF DATA AND MATERIALS: PROVIDED, FINALLY,
THAT BY THE YEAR 2008, ALL THE CITIES AND


MUNICIPALITIES OF THE PHILIPPINES WILL BE PROVIDED
WITH ELECTRONICALLY-OPERATED LIBRARY SYSTEM.

SECTION 2. Section 7 of RA 7738 is hereby amended to read as
follows’

Section 7. Appropriations.- The amount necessary to carry out
the provisions of this Act shall be included in the General
Appropriations Act of the year following its enactment into law
{and for the next five (5) years: thereafter this local government
units shall undertake the maintenance of public libraries and
reading centers while the National Library shall continue to
provide reading materials and supplies to the said libraries and
reading centers]. IN ORDER TO PROVIDE FUNDS
NECESSARY FOR THE ELECTRONIC LIBRARY SYSTEM TO
BE IMPLEMENTED, THE BUDGET OF THE NATIONAL
LIBRARY SHALL BE INCREASED IN THE AMOUNT OF FIVE
HUNDRED MILLION PESOS (P500,000,000.00) PER YEAR
UNTIL ALL CITIES AND MUNICIPALITIES IN THE
PHILIPPINES ARE PROVIDED WITH AND HAVE ACCESS TO
FULL ELECTRONIC LIBRARY FACILITIES.

SEC. 3. Repealing Clause.- All laws, decrees, orders, rules and
regulations, or portions thereof, inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed
or modified accordingly.

SEC, 4. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
complete publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation

Approved,