NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
Senate
*22 JUL 14 ^0*45
SENATE 
S. B. NO. 570
Introduced by SENATOR JOEL VILLANUEVA
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
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Republic Act No. 7743 was enacted more than thirty years ago, “to promote the 
moral and intellectual well-being of the people: elevate the literacy level of every 
Filipino to the end that illiteracy is eradicated by the end of the century; and recognize 
the vital role of knowledge and information in nation-building by establishing public 
libraries in every congressional district, city and municipality, and reading centers in 
every barangay throughout the Philippines.”
Unfortunately, after more than two and a half decades and amidst rapid 
technological advances, the Philippines is even further behind in promoting literacy 
and e-literacy, especially in terms of adapting to, and adopting, new technologies 
towards the promotion of literacy. In fact, while it has already been recognized globally 
that Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is essential to improving 
literacies,1 our institutions remain to be suspended in time with antiquated materials, 
equipment and facilities. This, on top of the fact that the noble objectives of Republic 
Act No. 7743 remain to be fully realized, make the situation worse in terms of 
promoting the intellectual well-being of the people thru the provision of libraries and 
reading centers nationwide.
1 Australian Council for Educational Research, A Global measure of digital and ICT literacy skills, 2016. accessible 
at httPs://unesdoc.unesco.orq/ark:/48223/Df0000245577 {last accessed July 11,2022).


For example, the results of the 2018 Programme for International Students 
Assessment (PISA) paint a dismal picture on the state of education and over-all 
literacy of students in the country. Specifically, out of 79 countries assessed, the 
Philippines was the lowest in terms of Reading Literacy (79th), and second from the 
bottom for Mathematics and Science Literacy (78th), ahead only of the Dominican 
Republic.
Reading
Literacy
Mathematics
Literacy
Science
Literacy
Ranking
(out of 79 countries)
79th
78th
78th
PFl Average Score
340
353
357
OECD Average Score
487
489
489
On the other hand, the 2019 Trends in International Mathematics and Science 
Study (TIMSS) reported that Filipino students ranked lowest among 58 countries in an 
international assessment for mathematics and science for Grade 4 students.2
The COVID-19 pandemic has not made things any better. Despite the gradual 
reopening of schools, the impact of long lockdowns on children’s education has 
become evident — studies show that less than ten percent (10%) of Filipino children 
can read simple text or comprehend a simple story, based on a joint report by the 
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural 
Organization (UNESCO) and the World Bank.3
These are just some of the alarming situations that highlight the need to 
improve our library and reading center systems to pave the way for the adoption and 
use of new technologies that would further promote literacy among our citizens. Thus, 
the early passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
SENATOR J
ANUEVA
2 lnquirer.net, PH’s Grade 4 students lowest in math, science around the world, December 10, 2020, accessible at
httDs://newsinfo.inauirer.net/1370289/Dhs-arade-4-students-lowest-in-math-science-around-the-world-stud_y {last
accessed July 11,2020).
3 
lnquirer.net, When 10-year-olds can’t read: The dulling of PH education, accessible at
httDs://newsinfo.inauirer.net/1580203/when-10-vear-olds-cant-read-the-dullinq-of-ph-education {last accessed
July 11,2022).


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
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•22 ’ JUL 14 «0:45
SENATE
S. B. NO. 570
Introduced by SENATOR JOEL VILLANUEVA
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:
1 
SECTION 1. Section 2 of Republic Act No. 7743, otherwise known as “An Act
2 
Providing for the Establishment of Congressional, City, and Municipal Libraries and
3 
Barangay Reading Centers Throughout the Philippines,” is hereby amended to read
4 
as follows:
5
6 
"Sec. 2. Establishment of Public Libraries and Reading Centers. - The
7 
National Library in coordination with the Department of the Interior and
8 
Local Government (DILG) AND ASSISTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF
9 
INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY (DICT),
10 
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (DEPED), AND THE COMMISSION
11 
ON HIGHER EDUCATION (CHED) shall undertake the establishment of
12 
additional public libraries to serve all congressional districts, cities and
13 
municipalities in the Philippines and reading centers in every barangay
14 
except in cities or municipalities where there are existing public libraries
15 
or in barangays where there are already existing public libraries or
16 
reading centers: Provided, That the establishment of such libraries and
17 
reading centers shall be based on the development program of the
18 
National Library, in coordination with the development council of each
19 
city or municipality and in the case of the barangay reading centers, in
20 
coordination with the respective barangay councils; PROVIDED,
21 
FURTHER, THAT THE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM OF THE
22 
NATIONAL LIBRARY SHALL BE BASED ON THE LATEST COMPUTER
23 
AND ELECTRONIC LIBRARY TECHNOLOGIES: Provided, further, That


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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, E-BOOKS, ONLINE 
RESEARCH RESOURCES AND OTHER MATERIALS, AS WELL AS 
THE LATEST ELECTRONIC LIBRARY SYSTEM USING COMPUTERS 
FOR STORING, CATALOGING, AND FILING OF DATA AND 
MATERIALS: PROVIDED, FINALLY, THAT BY 2025, ALL THE CITIES 
AND MUNICIPALITIES OF THE PHILIPPINES SHALL HAVE BEEN 
PROVIDED WITH ELECTRONICALLY-OPERATED LIBRARY 
SYSTEMS.
The National Library shall continue to coordinate and organize seminars, 
workshops and other trainings for the professional benefit of librarians.”
SEC. 2. Role of the Department of Information and Communications 
Technology (DICT). - The DICT shall assist the National Library and the DILG in the 
provision of cutting-edge computer and electronic library technologies, as well as fast 
and reliable internet connections.
SEC. 3. Role of Education Agencies. - The DepEd and the CHED shall assist 
the National Library and the DILG in the selection of standard print and non-print library 
materials.
SEC. 4. 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 every year thereafter, to ensure all cities and municipalities in 
the Philippines are provided and have access to full electronic library facilities and the 
latest library technologies and content and the same are upgraded periodically.
The local government units shall continue to 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.
SEC. 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from 
the implementation of this Act, the National Library, in coordination with the DILG, 
DICT, DepEd, CHED and other relevant government agencies and stakeholders, shall 
promulgate the rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act
SEC. 6. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is 
subsequently declared invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions hereof which are 
not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.
SEC. 7. Repealing Clause. - All other laws, acts, presidential decrees, 
executive orders, presidential proclamations, issuances, rules and regulations, or 
parts thereof which are contrary to or inconsistent with any of the provisions of this Act 
are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.
SEC. 8. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,