EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
S E N A T E
s. No. 5 8 5
)
•i' •
*19 JUL17 P5 53
Introduced by Senator Grace Poe
RECt.1
PROVIDING 
FOR OTHER
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING 
AN 
"ADOPT-A -LIBRAR Y" 
PROGRAM,
INCENTIVES, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND 
PURPOSES
Explanatory Note
Section 1, Article XIV of the 1987 Philippine Constitution declares that the 
State shall "protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all 
levels." This Constitutional provision does not only encompass the formal education 
system, but also "non-formal" educational system. This is embodied in Section 5 of 
the same Article, which provides that "[the State shall] encourage non-formal, 
informal, and indigenous learning systems, as well as self-learning, independent, and 
out-of-school study programs particularly those that respond to community needs."
Recognition of non-formal types of education is recognized in R.A. No. 9155, 
or the Governance o f Basic Education Act o f 2001" v^hlch provides in its Declaration 
of Policy that "Education shall also include alternative learning systems for out-of­
school youth and adult learners." R.A. No. 9155 defines "alternative learning system" 
as "a parallel learning system to provide a viable alternative to the existing formal 
education instruction. It encompasses both the non-formal and informal sources of 
knowledge and skills"
In recent years, the Philippines has started to embrace alternative modes of 
education. For example. Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Leonor Briones 
stated that expanding the alternative learning system (ALS) would be one of her 
main advocacies during her tenure.
This measure seeks to ride this recent wave of reforms by introducing an 
"Adopt-a-Library" program. It aims to encourage self-learning by constructing 
libraries across different local government units, public elementary and secondary 
schools, and State Universities and Colleges. These libraries will be provided with 
educational materials such as but not limited to encyclopaedias, dictionaries, maps 
and globes. The libraries shall also be provided with at least five (5) computers and 
a working internet connection.


This measure seeks to fully utilize the efficiency of the private sector in 
constructing these libraries. Private entities shall be encouraged to sign memoranda 
of agreement (MOA) with the concerned authorities to construct and maintain 
libraries. In exchange, all expenses made for the construction of libraries and 
provision of educational materials and equipment under this Act shall be exempt 
from the donor's tax. Furthermore, the adopting company or enterprise shall be 
entitled to have its name published beneath the name of the school after words 
indicating that the school is under the "Adopt-a-Library Program".
Speedy approval of this measure is eagerly sought.
^  / f  GRACE POE
/
 
/ M y


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
S E N A T E
S. No. 
5 8 5
' - ' K ‘ f ai t!i‘ »--uM«*ry
'19 
JUL 17 P5 53
Introduced by Senator Grace Poe
RE.;:.
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING 
AN 
"ADOPT-A -LIBRAR Y" 
PROGRAM, 
PROVIDING
INCENTIVES, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House o f Representatives o f the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section. 1. Short Title. -  This Act shall be known as the "Adopt-a-Library Act
2 
o f 2019."
3 
Sec. 2. Declaration o f Policy. -  The State recognizes right of all citizens to
4 
quality education at all levels and shall endeavour towards the realization of this
5 
right. The State further recognizes the indispensable role of the private sector in
6 
augmenting the government's efforts to provide an improved quality of life for all
7 
and shall provide incentives to mobilize private resources for the purpose.
8 
Sec. 3. Adopt-a-Library Program. -  There is hereby established the 'Adopt-a-
9 
Library Program", hereby referred to as "the Program", which will allow the private
10 
sector to assist a local government unit, public elementary or secondary school, or
11 
State University or College (SUC) in establishing and maintaining libraries 
within
12 
their respective jurisdiction.
13 
Sec. 4. Minimum Standard for Libraries. -T h e  libraries established under the
14 
Program shall be inclusive of educational materials such as but not limited to
15 
encyclopaedias, dictionaries, maps and globes. The libraries shall also be provided
16 
with at least five (5) computers and a working internet connection.
17 
Sec. 5. Procedure. -  A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) specifying the
18 
details of the adoption shall be entered into between the private entity and the
19 
concerned authority: Provided, That such MOA shall be subject to review and
1


1 
approval of the concerned authority: Provided, further, That the agreement shall last
2 
for at least two (2) years with the possibility of extension. For the purposes of this
3 
Act, "concerned authority" shall refer to the Mayor, school superintendent, or
4 
president of the State University or College where the library under this program is
5 
established.
6 
Sec. 6. Incentives. -  All expenses made for the construction of libraries and
7 
provision of educational materials and equipment under this Act shall be exempt
8 
from the donor's tax. Furthermore, the adopting company or enterprise shall be
9 
entitled to have its name published beneath the name of the school after words
10 
indicating that the school is under the "Adopt-a-Library Program".
11 
Sec. 7. Impiementing Ruies and Reguiations. -  Within thirty (30) days from
12 
this Act's effectivity, the Department of Education, in coordination with the
13 
Department of Interior and Local Government, shall issue the implementing rules
14 
and regulations necessary for the implementation of this Act.
15 
Sec. 8. Separabiiity Ciause. -  If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or
16 
unconstitutional, the remaining provisions not affected shall continue to be in full
17 
force and effect.
18 
Sec. 9. Repealing Ciause. -  All laws, decrees, executive orders or rules and
19 
regulations contrary to or inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified
20 
accordingly.
21 
Sec. 10. Effectivity Ciause. -T h is  Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from
22 
its publication in the Official Gazette.
Approved,