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Republic of the Philippines CATE: NOV 03 NOV 03 | \

HOUSE Saeco TIME:, An Om Z f
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No, __ 7946

Introduced by HON. JOY MYRA S. TAMBUNTING

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This proposed measure mandates publishers participating in the Public Schools Textbook Program
to allow the conversion of textbooks, in part or in full, to digital formats to be made available and
accessible to all public-school students. The said conversion would still be subject to the
Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines.

In the usual face-to-face learning setting, textbooks are usually shared among students within
the same class. Students are also not able to bring textbooks home as they are shared between
students from different shifts of classes. With the implementation of online classes, public learning
institutions are facing difficulties in the provision of necessary learning materials to all students
due to the inadequate copies of textbooks.

The digitization of learning materials would greatly aid public schools as they would be able to
distribute copies of textbooks to students in a shorter amount of time as they would not need to
have it printed for all students. This would also lessen the burden public schools face in the
delivery of learning materials as they would only have to deliver printed textbooks and other
learning materials to students who cannot access learning materials digitally.

On behalf of the people of Parafiaque City’s Second District, and for the common good of the
Filipino people, the approval of the said measure is earnestly sought.

AR if WV Aha,
IYRA S. iat
‘2nd District, Parafiaque City


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 7946

Introduced by HON. JOY MYRA S. TAMBUNTING

AN ACT
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8047, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "BOOK
PUBLISHING INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT ACT," PROVIDING FOR THE SCANNING AND
CONVERSION OF PUBLIC SCH OOL TEXTBOOKS INTO E-BOOKS AND OTHER DIGITAL
FORMATS

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

SECTION 1. Section 11 of Republic Act No. 8047, otherwise known as the "Book Publishing
Industry Development Act," Is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Sec. 11. Participation of Private Publishers in the Public School Textbook Program.

= Guided by the minimum learning competencies for the elementary level, the
desired learning competencies for the secondary level, and other specifications
prepared by the [DECS] DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (DEPED), publishers
shall develop and submit to the [DEGS] DEPED those syllabi and/or prototypes
and manuscripts or books Intended for use In the public schools for testing,
evaluation, selection and approval.

Upon approval of the manuscripts or books, publishers shall produce and supply
the textbooks as ordered by the [DECS] DEPED.

PUBUSHERS PARTICIPATING IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOL TEXTBOOK
PROGRAM SHALL ALLOW THE SCANNING OR CONVERSION INTO E-
BOOKS AND OTHER DIGITAL FORMATS, IN PART OR IN FULL, OF THEIR
APPROVED TEXTBOOKS, SUBJECT TO COMPLIANCE WITH REPUBUC ACT
NO, 8293, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES”. THE E-BOOKS AND DIGITAL FORMAT
COPIES OF THE TEXTBOOKS SHALL BE MADE AVAILABLE AND
ACCESSIBLE TO ALL PUBLIC-SCHOOL STUDENTS, IN A MANNER DEEMED
APPROPRIATE AND REASONABLE BY THE DEPED.


Sec. 2. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity
of this Act, the Department of Education (DepEd), In coordination with the National Book
Development Board (NBDB), and ‘other relevant government agencies and stakeholders, shall
Issue the necessary rules and regulations to Implement the and stakeholders, shall Issue the
necessary rules and regulations to Implement the provisions of this Act.

Sec. 3. Repealing Cause. — All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, proclamations,
rules and regulations, or any part thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act
are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Sec. 4. Separability Cause. - If any provision or part of this Act, or the application thereof to
any person or circumstance, is held unconstitutional or invalid, the remainder of this Act shall not
be affected thereby.

Sec. 5. Effectivity Cause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from its publication In
the Official Gazette or In at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,