Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNo. __ 3518

Introduced by HON. RENE L. RELAMPAGOS
First District, Bohol

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The appreciation of literature has to be nurtured early in the young child
and given expression through a stimulating environment and
a cultural setting that highly values the written word.’

“Why aren't Filipinos reading?” One likely reason is that books are so
expensive. For many families whose main income is spent on basic needs, buying a
book for pleasure is a luxury.* Further, the availability of books in this country is a
far ery from what it should be.?

If we are to fight mediocrity and encourage a lifetime of reading, we must
value books and libraries. The present library in the Municipality of Balilihan, while
facing limitations as to budget and personnel services, serves various towns and
communities in the first district of the Province of Bohol.

It is envisioned that the establishment of this Congressional library in the
Municipality of Balilihan, under the supervision of the National Library, will increase
and improve the services offered by the library.

Reading is a lifetime insurance. The child who starts reading early, acquires a
kind of insurance that will bring him educational dividends throughout his lifetime.
He will never tire of learning, of seeking answers, or of imagining new possibilities in
life. This is also a way of making available and accessible the books and other
reading materials to the street children as well as the out-of-school youths.

In view of the foregoing considerations, the passage of this law is earnestly

sought.
& ail
RI tee RELAMPAGOS

* Building Bridges, by Nina Lim-Yuson, 2000, page 96
*Thid, page 78

* Ibid, page 75

4 Supra


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. $518

Introduced by HON. RENE L. RELAMPAGOS
First District, Bohol

“AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A BALILIHAN CONGRESSIONAL LIBRARY IN THE
MUNICIPALITY OF BALILIHAN, PROVINCE OF BOHOL AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”

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

SECTION 1. There shalll be established, under the direct technical supervision
of the Director of the National Library of the Philippines, a Congressional Library in
the Municipality of Balilihan, Province of Bohol.

SEC. 2. The present Congressional library in Balilihan shall be named as the
Balilihan Congressional Library.

SEC. 3. The Director of the National Library shall appoint Librarian II, II and
I, Administrative Assistant Encoder, and such other personnel as may be necessary
to carry out the purposes of this Act, provided, that, all appointments shall be in
accordance with the Civil Service Act and its implementing rules and regulations,
and provided further, that, their salaries and allowances shall be in accordance with
the Salary Standardization Law and other applicable laws.

SEC. 4. The sum of five million pesos (Php 5,000,000.00) is hereby
appropriated out of any funds from the National Treasury not otherwise
appropriated for the maintenance and operation of the library for the current fiscal
year. Thereafter, such sum as may be necessary for the purpose of this Act shall be
included in the annual General Appropriations Act and thereafter in the succeeding
General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 5. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in a
newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,