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EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

itroduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez ;

House Bill No. 5226
EXPLANATORY NOTE

in today’s times, almost every Filipino has a cellphone or smartphone and most of the youth
are very capable of accessing information online. Research is done online and not very one
(goes to a library anymore. This is why we have to ensure that we provide our students the
opportunity to be able to access textbooks and other educational materials online.

Digitizing textbooks and establishing the Philippine Online Library creates more opportunities
because students are able to enhance their leaming experience, especially while in

provinces, municipalities, and barangays that are so remote that constructing and
maintaining quality library buildings in schools are impractical.

In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this measure is earnestly requested

RYFUS'B. ROD! |EZ


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS ) 4
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B.
5226

House Bill No.
EXPLANATORY NOTE

AN ACT
DIGITIZING ALL BOOKS NECESSARY FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION AND ESTABLISHING
THE PHILIPPINE ONLINE LIBRARY, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR

OTHER PURPOSES

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

Section 1. Short Title — This Act shall be known as the “Philippine Online Library Act.”

Section 2. Declaration of Policy — It shall be the policy of the State to ensure that its citizens
are computer literate and are provided access to an increasingly digitized world. Thus, the
State shall provide its citizens with the opportunity to increase their adaptability with
information and communications technology, and to enhance their learning experience by
providing access to digitized copies of textbooks necessary for the provision of quality
primary and secondary education.

Section 3. Philippine Online Library — The Department of Education shall create a digitized
copy of all textbooks and reference books it deems necessary for the public education of
Philippine elementary and secondary students. This shall be compiled in the Philippine
Online Library which shall be jointly managed by the Department of Education and the
Department of information and Communications Technology.

Section 4. Provision for Access to the Digitized Copies of Textbooks — The Department of
Education shall ensure access to the digitized copies of textbooks by providing computers to
all primary and secondary public schools nationwide

Similarly, in order to ensure access to the digitized copies of textbooks, the Department of
Information and Communications Technology shall provide fast and reliable internet access
to each primary and secondary public school

Section 5. Recycling of Computers — In order to offset expenses related to the procurement
of computers necessary for the immediate execution of the provisions of this Act, national
government agencies, govemment-owned and controlled corporations, and other
government financial institutions which shall procure new computers shall endorse their old
units to the Department of Information and Communications Technology to check if the
computers can still be used for the intent of this Act and afterwards shall be given to the
Department of Education for deployment to primary and secondary public schools
nationwide.

Section 6. Additional Online Educational Materials~ The Department of Education can tap
the National Library of the Philippines to complement the Philippine Online Library's digital
repository of textbooks with additional materials that is representative of Filipino culture and


literature. DepEd shalll also be allowed to add other online materials that it deems necessary
for expanding the learning opportunities for students.

Section 7. Custody over Digitized Copies of Textbooks ~ The Department of Education and
the National Library of the Philippines shall have joint custody over the digitized copies of the
textbooks. The Department of Information and Communications Technology shall likewise
ensure the technological management of the digital repository to ensure the integrity of the
system.

Section 8. Appropriations — The initial amount of Five Hundred Million (Php 500,000,000.00)
shall be appropriated for the immediate implementation of this act and shall be jointly
managed by the Department of Education and by the Department of Information and
Communications Technology. An annual budget of One Hundred Million (Php
100,000,000.00) will be included in the annual budget of the Department of Education to
make sure that the computers and internet connection of public schools for the purpose of
this Act will be maintained.

Section 9. implementing Rules and Regulations — The Department of Education, the
Department of Information and Communications Technology, and the National Library of the
Philippines shall have joint responsibility over the formulation of the Implementing Rules and
Regulations necessary for the effective execution and enforcement of this Act. They shall do
so in close coordination with the Department of Science and Technology, and other
stakeholders. The Implementing Rules and Regulations shall be released within ninety (90)
days from the approval of this Act.

Section 10. Repealing Clause — All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, rules and
regulations, and parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are
hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Section 11. Separability Clause — If, for any reason, any section or provision of this Act, or
any portion thereof, or the application of such section, provision, or portion to any person,
group, or circumstance is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or the
application of such section, provision, or portion thereof to other persons, groups, or
circumstances shall not be affected by such declaration.

Section 12. Effectivity — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its publication
in three (3) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,