FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
Second Regular Session 
OF THE PIIILIPPINES 
Introduced by Senator Villar 
Explanatory Note 
The library, I believe, is the last of our public institutions 
to which you can go without credentials. 
You don’t even need the sticker on your windshield 
that you need lo get into the public beach. 
All you need is the willingness to read. 
- Harry Golden - 
For the longest period, libraries have been and shall always be the engines of 
It is the repository of civilization’s great traditions: the 
civilization’s progress. 
gathering and dissemination of hard-won human wisdom. 
It is one institution that serves as the gateway to the past, the present and the 
future. In the library, one can find the resources to examine and confront our most 
difficult problems. Libraries provide individuals the weapon to hurdle obstacles and 
the remarkable power to change. 
In recent years, however, there is cause for serious concern about the apparent 
The same is an aftermath of the continuing 
decline in the utilization of libraries. 
decline in reading. 
Eight years ago, in a nationwide survey on Filipino youth by McCann 
Erickson (Philippine Business Magazine, 2001) reported that during free time, 88 % 
watch TV, 73 % listen to the radio, 50 % read books, 37 % use the internet and 12 YO 
use cell phones. According to educator Patricia Licuanan, in her paper “Books and 
Schools” delivered in 2007, the above mentioned figures may have dramatically 
changed since this particular survey with increase in the use of cell phones and 
internet. She observed that, “in contrast to subways in Tokyo and New York, hardly 
anyone reads in our MRT and LRT lines. Those who do, read the free tabloid Libre 
printed by Philippine Daily Inquirer. In public schools, teachers lament how students 
no longer read. 
Even in thcir homes, their parents do not buyhead newspapers 
preferring to spend their 20 pesos on food or transportation.” 


Dr. Licuanari further stated, “the decline in reading is generally attributed to a 
number of factors. Poverty has been identified as a major culprit. Poor children have 
little access to reading materials in school and at home. Books are often considered a 
luxury. The libraries of poor communities are inferior and are open less. Then again, 
we have counter examples of how the decline in the reading culture may not be 
completely attributed to poverty as homes of well-off families often have toys and 
gadgets more visible than books. Increased participation in a variety of electronic 
media, including the internet, video games, and portable digital services has been 
found to correlate with decline in reading. Spending for electronics has surpassed 
spending for books.” 
This legislation is submitted with humble missions: to promote the 
establishments of mobile libraries, bringing it closer to the users and encouraging the 
citizens to read books and reading materials again. 
Early cognizance of this legislation is earnestly sought. 


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FOURTEk?NTH CONGaSS 0F~'I"E REPUBLIC 
Second Regular Session 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
9 
21 13637 
Introduced by Senator Villar 
AN ACT 
PROMOTING THE ESTABLISHMENTS OF MOBILE LIBRARIES, 
PROVIDING TACTICAL, AND INGENIOUS INITIATIVES FOR ITS 
IMPLEMENTATION AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. 
Short Title. 
This Act shall be cited as the "Love for 
Wk&:Wb$le Libraries of the Philippines Act of 2009.: 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is declared a policy of the State to protect 
and promote the right of the citizens to quality education and to take appropriate steps 
to make such education accessible to all. Towards this end, the State shall provide 
the necessary framework and resources for the implementation of educational 
programs, projects and services; encouraging local initiatives for the improvement of 
the citizens. 
Toward this end, it is the objective of this Act to give meaning and accord full 
significance to the said constitutional provision by promoting one of the most 
significant aspects of education: reading. And the same can be achieved through the 
creation of mobile libraries. 
Mobile Libraries. 
The mobile library is a service or an activity of many 
types of libraries. It is settled to facilitate users who find it inconvenient to go to the 
library because of the distance, time, expense, lack of knowledge on library, and the 
lack of reading habit. 
SEC. 3. 
Government Initiative in the Creation of Mobile Libraries. 
Beginning the year this Act is approved, the amount of one hundred million pesos 
(Php 100,000,000.00) is hereby appropriated from the combined earnings of the 
Philippine Amusement and gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and Philippine Charity 
Sweepstakes Office (PCSO). The budgetary support must be continued for seven (7) 
years or longer, upon reasonable determination of the usefulness, relevance and 


effectiveness of ,mobile libraries as tools for education and empowerment of the 
citizens. 
The National Library of the Philippines shall be the main government agency 
to implement the provisions of this Act. The National Library shall consult relevant 
and concerned private and public offices, non-government organizations, members 
of the academe and local government leaders on matters that will best promote and 
implement the establishments of mobile libraries and its effective utilization. 
SEC. 4. 
Incentives for Private Corporations that will Adopt, Donate or 
Establish Mobile Libraries. 
The Department of Finance shall issue the relevant 
guidelines that will provide fiscal and tax incentives to private companies, 
organizations and foreign donors that will adopt, donate or establish mobile libraries 
in the country. 
SEC. 5. 
Other Activities That Can Be Sponsored by Mobile Libraries. To 
implement the objectives and aims of this Act, mobile libraries can be used to 
sponsor and conduct book weeks, book fairs, book clubs, recognition rites for 
frequent borrowers, displaying new books and featured selectionskollections, 
exposition of library instruction programs, among others. 
Mobile libraries can also engage in sponsoring livelihood programs, walking 
tours of historic and cultural heritage areas, socio-economic workshops and trainings 
and others. 
SEC. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The National Library of the 
Philippines in consultation with relevant offices shall issue the necessary rules and 
regulations sixty (60) days after the approval of this Act. 
SEC. 7. 
Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared invalid 
or unconstitutional, the other provisions not so declared shall remain in force and 
effect. 
SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations 
or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified 
accordingly. 
SEC. 9. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen days after its complete 
publication in the Official Gazette. 
Approved,