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

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 3431

Introduced by Representative Crispin Diego “Ping” D. Remulla

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE VIRTUAL LIBRARY, APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

As we move deeper into the digital age, schools in the country must also keep up. More
than 20.5 million students were enrolled in public schools for the School Year 2024-2025.
However, the sad reality remains that many of the students still do not have enough learning
materials. Some schools even lack computers or reliable internet access. This makes it harder

for students to achieve their full potential.

This proposed measure aims to address this gap by establishing the Philippine Virtual
Library. This will be a digital collection of books and reference materials that students can

easily access online. This measure also includes support for schools to get the computers and

internet they need to access the virtual library.

By putting learning resources just a few clicks away from students, we can make
education more equal, modern, and accessible to all Filipino students. This measure ensures

that no student is left behind in this fast-changing world.


In view of the foregoing, the approval of this measure is earnestly sought.

CRISPIN DI . REMULLA


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

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 3431

Introduced by Representative Crispin Diego “Ping” D. Remulla

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE VIRTUAL LIBRARY, APPROPRIATE
FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION L. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Philippine Virtual Library
Act.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is the policy of the State to empower citizens with
knowledge, skills, competencies, and resources required to engage in an increasingly digital
world effectively. To this end, the State shall provide its citizens access to digitized copies of
textbooks necessary for quality education in order to build adaptability in information and
communications technology and enhance their educational experience.

SEC. 3. Philippine Virtual Library. — The Department of Education (DepEd) and the
National Library of the Philippines (NLP) shall create a digitized copy of all textbooks and
reference books it deems necessary for the enhancement of knowledge of the public. These
shall be compiled in the Philippine Virtual Library, which shall be jointly managed by the
DepEd, NLP, and the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT).

SEC. 4, Access to Digitized Copies of Books. — The DepEd and NLP shall ensure
access to the digitized copies of books by providing computers or appropriate wherewithal to
all public schools nationwide. The DICT shall provide fast and reliable internet access to each
public school to ensure access to digitized copies of books.


SEC. 5. Recycling of Computers. — National government agencies, government-
owned and controlled corporations, and other government financial institutions which shall
procure new computers shall endorse their old units to the DICT to check if the computers can
still be used for the intent of this Act. All computer units that are still usable shall be then
donated to the DepEd for deployment to public schools nationwide.

SEC. 6. Additional Online Educational Materials. — The DepEd and NLP shall be
allowed to add other online materials that they deem necessary for the expansion of the learning
opportunities of students.

SEC. 7. Custody Over Digitized Copies of Books. - The DepEd and the NLP shall
have joint custody over the digitized copies of books. The DICT shall likewise ensure the
technological management of the digital repository to ensure the integrity of the system.

SEC. 8. Private Sector Participation. — The DepEd and NLP are hereby mandated to
formulate a program that shall encourage the participation of private corporations and civil
society organizations in the implementation of this Act. The program shall include proposals
to encourage their participation in the digitization of books and the provision of computers,
among others.

SEC. 9. Appropriations. — The initial amount of Five Hundred Million (PHP
'500,000,000.00) shall be appropriated for the immediate implementation of this Act. The
amount necessary for the continuous and effective implementation of this Act shalll be included
in the General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 10. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within ninety (90) days from the
approval of this Act, the DepEd, NLP, and the DICT shall promulgate the necessary
implementing rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.

SEC. 11. Separability Clause. — If any part of this Act is declared unconstitutional or
invalid, the other provisions not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.

SEC. 12. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, orders, rules, and regulations or parts
thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.

SEC. 13. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fiftcen (15) days following its

publication in the Official Gazette or in any major newspaper of general circulation in the

Philippines.

Approved,