., 
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
S. No. 986 
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Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
A finding by the Education Commission (EDCOM) reveals that twenty six percent 
(26%) of Filipinos are functionally illiterate. Baffling as this report indicates, there 
appears to be a compelling need to facilitate the delivery of reading materials to public 
elementary schools not only to supplement the knowledge obtained in classroom 
instructions but also to put the school children, students and teachers in the forefront of 
awareness of what is happening in the rest of the country, what are the issues of 
national character that affect the family, the school, the community and the person of 
the reader. 
Reading per se stimulates the mind, but reading the proper news materials 
promotes knowledge and awareness of the information that can serve as a positive 
catalyst for intellectual growth, preparedness and personal enhancement 
Newspapers have the unique quality of providing a stimulus as well as impetus 
for development, spurs the readers to action as reaction makes one alert of his/her 
surroundings and can inspire participation in matters of national significance. It can also 
mean enjoyment or amusement and avoidance of dangers. It broadens one's 
perspective and encourages participatory governance. 
In view of the foregoing considerations, approval of the bill is earnestly 
recommended. 
c ) 
MANU&<.:T:: M::APID 
Senator 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
S. No. 986 
) 
) 
) 
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid 
AN ACT 
TO SUBSIDIZE THE NEWSPAPER SUBSCRIPTIONS OF PUBLIC SCHOOL 
LIBRARIES IN THE COUNTRY 
8e it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Republic of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. 
Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Public 
Scllool Newspaper Subscription Subsidy Act". 
SEC. 2. 
Newspaper Subscription. - Subject to certain requirements of this 
Act, the newspaper subscriptions of libraries of public schools all over the country shall 
be subsidized by the government in the amount equivalent to one-half (1/2) of the cost 
of the subscription of newspapers of national circulation. 
SEC. 3. 
Coverage. 
-
Only 
newspapers 
of national 
circulation 
as 
determined by the Department of Education (DepEd) and subscribed by publiC school 
libraries, can qualify for the subsidy provided for under this Act: Provided, That the 
subsidy shall be limited to only three (3) of such newspapers: Provided, further, That the 
. 
amount of such subsidy shall be the equivalent of one-half (1/2%),of the cost of the 
subscription of newspapers of national circulation. 
SEC. 4. 
Appropriation. - There shall be appropriated out of the budget of 
the Department of Education (DepEd) such sums as may be necessary to finance the 
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• 
subsidy provided in this Act. Thereafter, such sums shall be appropriated in the general 
appropriations of the Department of Education. 
SEC. 5. 
Repealing Clause. -
All laws, decrees, orders, rules and 
regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby 
repealed, mended or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 6. 
Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act or the application 
of such provision to any person or circumstance is held invalid for any reason, the other 
provisions or their application to other persons or circumstances not affected thereby 
shall remain in full force and effect. 
SEC. 7. 
Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
2