NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
tei| &rl!Ek
of tijf ifefi t'uU-J)
*22 DEC “5 PI :14
SENATE 
S. No.
RHCEIVLD b
Introduced by SENATOR RAMON BONG RE VILLA, JR.
AN ACT
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7743, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS "AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF CONGRESSIONAL, CITY, AND 
MUNICIPAL LIBRARIES AND BARANGAY READING CENTERS THROUGHOUT 
THE PHILIPPINES", AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The phenomenon of technology has taken the world by storm. Its uses seem 
limitless, especially when it comes to the dissemination of information. In this day and 
age, the blessing of technology does wonders for education across the globe. The 
children of the world are no longer restricted within the four wails of their classrooms, 
nor are they limited only to the use of books and magazines.
Republic Act No. 7743 was enacted specificaliy to put up libraries and reading 
centers in every city, municipality and barangay in order to accelerate the literacy rate 
of our citizenry. Sadly, since the passage of the law, its intended purpose has yet to 
be fully implemented across the nation. It is high time we push for the full 
implementation of this monumental piece of legislation.
The State recognizes the need for R.A. No. 7743 to be in full effect to better 
serve our fellowmen. It also recognizes the need to upgrade our learning system. With 
that being said, the State acknowledges the practicality and efficiency of using 
technology as means for furthering the intent of the previous legislation. The State 
shall provide existing and future learning and reading centers with the latest computer 
and electronic library technology in order to best serve the peopie.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill into law is earnestly sought.
RAMO^ONG REVILLA, JR.


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
s. No. 1580
(©ffirr of t:jf if- r ctrirp
‘22 DEC-5 Pl:14
8V.
Introduced by SENATOR RAMON BONG REVILLA, JR.
AN ACT
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7743, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS "AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF CONGRESSIONAL, CITY, AND 
MUNICIPAL LIBRARIES AND BARANGAY READING CENTERS THROUGHOUT 
THE PHILIPPINES", AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Section 2 of R.A. 7743 is hereby amended to read as follows:
2 
"Section 2. Estabiishmentof Public Libraries and Reading Centers.
3 
-The National Library in coordination with the Department of Interior
4 
and Local Government (DILG) shall undertake in the establishment of
5 
additional public libraries to serve all congressional districts, cities and
6 
municipalities in the Philippines and reading centers in every barangay
7 
except in cities or municipalities where there are existing public libraries
8 
or in barangays where there are existing public libraries or in barangays
9 
where there are existing reading centers: Provided, that the
10 
establishment program of the National Library BASED ON THE LATEST
11 
COMPUTER AND ELECTRONIC LIBRARY TECHNOLOGY in
12 
coordination with the development council of each city or municipality
13 
and in the case of the barangay reading centers, in coordination with
14 
the respective barangay councils: Provided, further, that where these
15 
public libraries and reading centers already exist, the National Library
16 
shall continue to upgrade the facilities thereof. [.] WITH COMPLETE
17 
STANDARD SETS OF BOOKS AND OTHER MATERIALS AS


1 
PROVIDED UNDER SEC. 3 OF THIS ACT, AS WELL AS THE
2 
LATEST ELECTRONIC LIBRARY SYSTEM USING COMPUTERS
3 
FOR STORING, CATALOGING, AND FILING OF DATA AND
4 
MATERIALS: PROVIDED, FINALLY, THAT BY THE YEAR 2025,
5 
ALL THE CITIES AND MUNICIPALITIES OF THE PHILIPPINES
6 
WILL BE PROVIDED WITH ELECTRONICALLY-OPERATED
7 
LIBRARY SYSTEMS."
8
9 
Sec. 2. Section 7 of R.A. 7743 is hereby amended to read as follows:
10 
"Section 7. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the
11 
provisions of this Act shall be included in the General Appropriations Act
12 
of the year following its enactment into law [and for the next ftve-fS)
13 
years: thoreaftcr-this local govcrnmcnt-unit-shaH undertake the
14 
maintenance-of public libraries and reading centers while the-National
15 
Library shall continue to provide reading materials and supplies to the
16 
said libraries and reading centers]. IN ORDER TO PROVIDE FUNDS
17 
NECESSARY FOR THE ELECTRONIC LIBRARY SYSTEM TO BE
18 
IMPLEMENTED, THE BUDGET OF THE NATIONAL LIBRARY
19 
SHALL INCREASE IN THE AMOUNT OF FIVE HUNDRED MILLION
20 
PESOS (P500,000,000.00) PER YEAR UNTIL ALL CITIES AND
21 
MUNICIPALITIES IN THE PHILIPPINES ARE PROVIDED AND
22 
HAVE ACCESS TO FULL ELECTRONIC LIBRARY FACILITIES."
23
24 
Sec. 3. Repeating Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations, or
25 
portions thereof contrary to, or inconsistent with, this Act are hereby repealed,
26 
modified or amended accordingly.
27 
Sec. 4. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
28 
publication either in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general
29 
circulation in the Philippines.
Approved,