¥ REPRESEN
E- Filed”

NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) RECEIVED aX
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
Second Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

House Bill No. 9960

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVES LANI MERCADO-REVILLA,
BRYAN B. REVILLA AND RAMON JOLO REVILLA Ill

AN ACT ESTABLISHING A CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT LIBRARY IN THE CITY
OF BACOOR, PROVINCE OF CAVITE, TO BE KNOWN AS THE “JULIAN
BALMASEDA PUBLIC LIBRARY,” AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

EXPLANATORY NOTE

In 1994, the Philippine Congress passed Republic Act No. 7743, mandating
the establishment of public libraries and reading centers nationwide to advance the
moral and intellectual well-being of Filipinos."

Public libraries serve as vital hubs for inclusive access to essential resources,
fostering study within a dependable community setting, and safeguarding cultural
heritage and history. While our educational institutions are equipped with libraries,
public libraries cater to individuals of all ages, backgrounds, and interests, playing a
pivotal role in nurturing a reading culture and fostering literacy.2 Therefore, it is
imperative to expand the network of public libraries across the country.

The 2r4 Congressional District of Cavite currently lacks a fully operational city
and/or congressional library. Hence, this initiative proposes the creation of the Julian
Balmaseda Public Library,? to be housed within the Sentrong Pangkultura, Arkibo at

“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.

2 UNESCO. (2016, December). Libraries and literacy: Using libraries to support national literacy efforts - UIL
Policy Brief 6. hitps:/uil.unesco.orglteracylibraries-and-literacy-using-lbraries-support-national-iteracy-
efforts-uil-polcy-briet-6

9 Julian Cruz Balmaseda was a famous poet, playwright and Novelist. He was bom on January 28, 1886 in
Udyong Bataan to Regino Cruz Balmaseda and Simeona Francisco of Bacoor, Cavite, Reference: Julian Cruz

Balmaseda. (2015). https:/philippineculturaleducation.com.ph/balmaseda,julian-cruz/

1


Museo ng Lungsod ng Bacoor. This endeavor aims to provide Bacoorefios with
access to a vast array of knowledge and information. This aligns with the
institutionalization efforts outlined in House Bill No. 9087, filed on September 7,
2023, for the Sentrong Pangkultura, Arkibo at Museo ng Lungsod ng Bacoor.*

Given these considerations, we earnestly request the immediate passage of

this bill.
REI | MERCADO-REVILLA fp /AN B. REVILLA
AGIMAT Partylist
2r4 District of Cavite
REP. RAI LO REVILLA Ii

1 Distfict of Cavite

‘4 This was discussed in the Committee on Basic Education and Culture on February 12, 2024.

2


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
Second Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

HOUSE BILL No. 9960

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVES LANI MERCADO-REVILLA,
BRYAN B. REVILLA AND RAMON JOLO REVILLA Ill

AN ACT ESTABLISHING A CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT LIBRARY IN THE CITY
OF BACOOR, PROVINCE OF CAVITE, TO BE KNOWN AS THE “JULIAN
BALMASEDA PUBLIC LIBRARY,” AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. There shall be established in the City of Bacoor, Province of
Cavite, a Congressional District Library, to be known as the “Julian Balmaseda
Public Library,” to be housed within the Sentrong Pangkultura, Arkibo at Museo ng
Lungsod ng Bacoor, which shall be under the direct control and supervision of the
National Library of the Philippines (NLP).

SEC 2. The Director of the NLP shall appoint the following to manage the
Julian Balmaseda Public Library:

(a) Librarian II;

(b) Librarian |;

(c) Administrative Assistant III;
(d) Computer File Librarian |;
(e) Administrative Aide VI; and
(f) Watchman (Security Guard).

The appointments of said positions shall be in accordance with the Compensation
and Position Classification System and other civil service rules and regulations. In
addition, their salaries and allowances shall be in accordance with Republic Act No.

3


11466, otherwise known as the “Salary Standardization Law of 2019,” and other
applicable laws.

SEC 3. The NLP shall include in its program the implementation of this Act,
the funding of which shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC 4. Within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act, the NLP shall
promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the proper implementation of this
Act.

SEC 5. If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional, the remainder
of this Act or any provision not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC 6. All laws, executive orders, presidential decrees, proclamations, rules,
regulations, issuances, and enactments or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are
hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC 7. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,