EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
" T v
S E N A T E  
S. No. 
^ 8
vSaiif 01 tlK S5‘i :rttarp
•19 JiJL-1 P2:17
Introd uced by SENATOR RAMON BONG REV^LLA, JR.
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING 
THE 
BOOKS 
FOR 
THE 
BARRIOS 
PROGRAM, 
AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Article XIV Section 1 of the 1987 Constitution provides that, "The State shall 
protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels and 
shall take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all."
One basic component of education is reading, which is a fundamental skill 
that will determine the literacy of an individual. The importance of developing the 
youth's reading ability must be emphasized in our goal of improving their functional 
literacy skills.
The Education for All Global Monitoring Report of UNESCO in 2006 defined 
"functional literacy" as the level of literacy which includes not only reading, writing 
and comprehension but also numeracy skills that would help people cope with the 
daily demands of life. The Philippines rated 90.3% in the 2013 Functional Literacy, 
Education and Mass Media Survey (FLEMMS), a remarkable improvement from 
86.4% in 2008 and 84.1% in 2003.


While the national rating in the said survey has consistently improved, a study 
conducted by a non-governmental organization revealed that such improvement is 
not true in the community level where majority of students are not able to read with 
comprehension by the time they finish primary education.
No less than the Department of Education official stated that some schools 
did not have enough books for students this school year 2019-2020. He said that 
nobody participated In the bidding to print the manuscript because of the change in 
curriculum.
There are various organizations that have already dedicated efforts and 
resources to address this issue but there is more to be done. The government has 
to step in and proactive measures have to be implemented.
This bill proposes for the establishment of the Books for the Barrios Program 
which shall be under the Department of Education. It aims to distribute books and 
other educational materials to primary and secondary public schools as well as to 
public libraries in remote barangays. The said Program aims to provide support and 
strengthen the efforts of the government in providing quality education to our youth.
In this light, the immediate passage of this bill is highly recommended.
RAMO^BONG REVILLA, JR.


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
)
First Reguiar Session
)
S E N A T E
S. No.
7 8
*19 
JUL-1 
P 2:17
Introd uced by SENATOR RAMON BONG REVIj^lA, JR.
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING 
THE 
BOOKS 
FOR 
THE 
BARRIOS 
PROGRAM 
AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and House o f Representative o f the Phiiippines in 
Congress assembied:
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Sectionl. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Books for the Barrios Act o f
2019'.
Sec. 2. Deciaration o f Policy. -  It is hereby declared the policy of the State to 
give the Filipino youth, particularly in remote areas, the chance for upward mobility 
through education not only by listening but also by reading. Towards this end, all 
public schools and libraries in remote barangays shall be provided with books under 
the Books for the Barrios Program.
Sec. 3. Books for the Barrios Program. -  There shall be established, under the 
Department of Education (DepEd), the Books for the Barrios Program, hereinafter 
referred to as the Program.


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For this purpose, the DepEd is hereby authorized to create an office that will 
take charge of the Program, which shall have the following functions:
a) Prepare a list of all public schools and libraries throughout the country 
and regularly update the same;
b) Formulate guidelines and standards for availment of the benefits under 
the Program;
c) Accept and issue receipts or donations of books, magazines and other 
educational materials for distribution to qualified schools and libraries;
d) Designate non-government organizations which may solicit book 
donations, or distribute books and other educational materials under its 
supervision;
e) Make an inventory every three (3) months of all the books and other 
educational materials under its supervision; and,
f) Perform such other functions as may be necessary for the effective 
implementation of the Program.
Sec. 4. Scope and Coverage o f the Program. -  All elementary and secondary 
public schools, and public libraries in remote barangays throughout the country shall 
be entitled to the benefits offered by the Program: 
Provided, That public schools 
shall be required to establish their own libraries: 
Provided, further, That private 
schools and libraries in remote barangays may avail of the benefits under the 
Program subject to the guidelines and standards as may be prescribed by the 
Department of Education.


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Sec. 5. Mechanism o f the Program. -
a) The DepEd shall 
introduce the Program through the different 
government offices, agencies and institutions, the state colleges and 
universities, non-government organizations and private establishments 
which shall solicit from their officials, employees and members 
donation of used books, magazines and other educational materials;
b) The DepEd may also solicit books from foreign sources;
c) At the end of every school year, all students who finished from all 
levels shall be encouraged to donate their books and other educational 
materials to the Program;
d) Non-governmental organizations as may be designated by the DepEd 
shall be authorized to solicit and distribute book donations in 
accordance with the guidelines as may be formulated by the DepEd: 
Provided, That reports shall be submitted to the DepEd as to the 
manner and number of books received and distributed;
e) The books and educational materials received shall be inventoried and 
distributed to qualified schools and libraries as may be determined by 
the DepEd in accordance with the guidelines as may be formulated for 
the Program.
Sec. 6. Annual Report. — The Department of Education shall submit to the 
President of the Philippines and the Congress on the implementation of the Program 
which shall include, among others, the number of books and other educational


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materials solicited and distributed, the classification of and subjects covered by the 
said books, and the beneficiaries thereof.
Sec. 7. Appropriations. -  The Secretary of the Department of Education shall 
immediately include in its program and issue such rules and regulations to 
implement the provisions of this Act, the funding of which shall be included in the 
annual General Appropriations Act.
Sec. 8. Separability Clause. -  If any part, section or provision of this Act Is 
held invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in 
full force and effect.
Sec. 9. Repeating Clause. -  All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or 
parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.
Sec. 10. Effectivity.-Vr\\s Act shall take effect upon its approval.
Approved,