Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House BillNo,_ 2644

Introduced by Representatives
DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL ARROYO and GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO

AN ACT
PROMOTING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF MOBILE LIBRARIES, PROVIDING
TACTICAL, AND INGENIOUS INITIATIVES FOR ITS IMPLEMENTATION AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

For the longest time, libraries have been and shall always be the engines of
civilization's progress. It is the repository of civilization's great traditions: the 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.

But recent years would prove, however, of the serious concern about the
apparent decline in the utilization of libraries which is tantamount to a corresponding
decline in reading.

In a nationwide survey on Filipino youth by McCann Erickson (Philippine
Business Magazine, 2001) a couple of years ago reported that during free time, 88%
watch TV, 73% listen to the radio, 50% read books, 37% use the internet and 12% 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 reveals the introduction of cell phone and internet usage. She

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observed that, “in contrast to subways in Tokyo and New York, hardly anyone reads in
our MRT and LRT lines. Those who do, most of the time, read the tabloids offered free
by major broadsheets. In public schools, teachers lament how students no longer read,
the same case once they reach their homes. Moreover, their parents no longer
buy/read newspapers preferring to spend their 20 pesos on food or transportation.”

Dr. Licuanan further stated, “the decline in reading is generally attributed to a
number of factors. Poverty has been identified as one major culprit. Poor children have
little access to reading materials in school and at home considering them a luxury more
than a necessity. To further compound things, libraries in poor communities are often
inferior and are open less. But then again, we have also counter examples to show 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 the decline in reading
Spending for electronics has surpassed spending for books.”

This legislation is being proposed with the humble objectives of: (1) promoting
the establishment of mobile libraries; and (2) bringing these libraries closer to the users
and encouraging citizens to, once again, read books and other useful and informational
materials.

Due to the reasons stated above, the expeditious approval of this bill is earnestly
sought.

Wf
DIOSDADO. APAGAL ARROYO GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO
Second District, Camarines Sur Second District, Pampanga


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

2644

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representatives
DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL ARROYO and GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO

AN ACT
PROMOTING THE ESTABLISHMENT 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 "Mobile Libraries Act of
2013.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is declared a policy of the State to protect
and promote the right of 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.

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.


SECTION 3. Government tnitiative in the Creation of Mobile Libraries. ~
Beginning the year this Act is approved, the amount of One Hundred Million pesos (Php
400,000,000.00) 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 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

SECTION 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.

SECTION 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 selections/collections, 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.

SECTION 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.

SECTION 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

SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations
or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 9. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
complete publication in the Official Gazette or any newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,