Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Batasan Hills, Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by  
HON. ATTY. GERVILLE “JINKY BITRICS” R. LUISTRO 
AN ACT 
STRENGTHENING THE PHILIPPINE PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM, 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, APPROPRIATING THE NECESSARY FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR 
OTHER PURPOSES", AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Republic Act No. 7743 was enacted with the goal of increasing the literacy rate of 
Filipinos by establishing libraries in congressional districts, cities, municipalities, and barangays. 
Libraries serve as essential community hubs for learning and professional development, 
providing access to a wealth of knowledge. As learning institutions shift toward incorporating 
digital materials, public libraries must also adapt to meet the evolving needs of their 
communities by embracing new technologies. 
To address this, the proposed measure aims to upgrade and strengthen the public library 
system, ensuring that libraries remain relevant and accessible in the digital age. By offering 
services like free Wi-Fi access, affordable rental of ICT equipment (such as smartphones, tablets, 
laptops, desktops, and mobile hotspots), and online learning opportunities, this measure seeks to 
improve public access to information and enhance personal and professional development for all 
members of the community. 
Equipping libraries with the latest technology is crucial to bridging the digital divide and 
supporting lifelong learning. This initiative ensures that public libraries remain effective 
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knowledge hubs, empowering individuals with the tools and resources necessary for academic, 
career, and personal growth in an increasingly digital world. 
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is urgently sought. 
HON. ATTY. GERVILLE “JINKY BITRICS” R. LUISTRO 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Batasan Hills, Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by  
HON. ATTY. GERVILLE “JINKY BITRICS” R. LUISTRO 
AN ACT 
STRENGTHENING THE PHILIPPINE PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM, 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, APPROPRIATING THE NECESSARY FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR 
OTHER PURPOSES", AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Section 2 of Republic Act No. 7743 Is hereby amended to read as follows: 
Sec. 2. Establishment of Public Libraries and Reading Centers. - National Library 
Establishment in coordination of Public with Libraries the and Department 
Interior and Local Government (DILG shall undertake the establishment of 
additional public libraries to serve all) congressional districts, cities and 
municipalities in the Philippines and reading centers in every barangay except in 
cities or municipalities where there are existing public libraries or in barangays 
where there are existing reading centers: Provided, That the [establishment of 
such libraries and reading centers shall be based on the development program of 
the National Library] PROGRAM OF THE NATIONAL LIBRARY FOR 
ESTABLISHING SUCH PUBLIC LIBRARIES AND READING CENTERS 
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SHALL BE CONTINUOUSLY UPDATED TO INCLUDE THE LATEST 
COMPUTER 
AND 
ELECTRONIC 
LIBRARY 
TECHNOLOGY, 
in 
coordination with the development council of each city or municipality and in the 
case of the barangay reading centers, in coordination with the respective barangay 
councils: Provided, further, That where these public libraries and reading centers 
already exist, the National Library shall continue to upgrade the facilities thereof 
WITH COMPLETE STANDARD SETS OF BOOKS, E-BOOKS, ONLINE 
RESEARCH RESOURCES, SUBSCRIPTIONS TO ONLINE ACADEMIC 
JOURNALS, 
DATABASES 
AND 
PERIODICALS, 
AND 
OTHER 
MATERIALS AS PROVIDED UNDER SEC. 3 OF THIS ACT AS WELL 
AS THE LATEST ELECTRONIC LIBRARY SYSTEM FOR STORING, 
CATALOGING, AND FILING OF DATA AND MATERIALS: PROVIDED, 
FINALLY, THAT BY THE YEAR 2022, ALL THE CITIES AND 
MUNICIPALITIES OF THE PHILIPPINES WILL BE PROVIDED WITH 
AN ELECTRONICALLY-OPERATED LIBRARY SYSTEM." 
 
Sec. 2. Section 6 of Republic Act No. 7743 is hereby amended to read as follows: 
 
"Sec. 6. Functions of the Public Libraries and Barangay Reading Centers. - The 
public libraries and barangay reading centers shall have the following functions: 
 
(a) to make available to the members of the community reading materials of 
wide array, CONTENT AND FORMAT, WHETHER PHYSICAL 
OR DIGITAL, including BUT NOT LIMITED TO reading materials 
prescribed by the Department of Education, Culture, and Sports and 
national newspapers of general circulation and others; 
 
(b) to be used as a venue for audio-visual presentations [in the community] 
and other kinds of exhibitions, SEMINARS, TRAINING MODULES, 
WEBINARS, and activities WITH OBJECTIVES THAT INCLUDE 
BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING: 
 
1. INCREASING THE FUNCTIONAL LITERACY RATE; 
2. ENCOURAGING A CULTURE OF READING, SELF-STUDY 
AND LIFELONG LEARNING; 
3. PRESERVING THE LOCAL HERITAGE AND HISTORY; AND,  
4. PROMOTING 
NATIONALISM, 
SOCIO-CIVIC 
CONSCIOUSNESS, AND HARMONY THROUGHOUT THE 
LOCAL COMMUNITY; 
 


(c) TO SERVE AS ACCESS POINTS FOR FREE FAST INTERNET 
CONNECTIVITY, IN LINE WITH THE POLICIES, PROGRAMS 
AND PROJECTS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION 
AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY (DICT); 
(d) TO PROVIDE MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY 
STUDENTS, 
TEACHERS, 
PERSONS 
WITH 
DISABILMES 
(PWDS), 
AND 
SENIOR 
CITIZENS, 
AFFORDABLE 
AND 
RELIABLE RENTAL SERVICES FOR INFORMATION AND 
COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY (ICT) AND EQUIPMENT 
SUCH AS BUT NOT LIMITED TO SMARTPHONES, TABLETS, 
LAPTOPS, DESKTOP COMPUTERS, AND MOBILE WIFI 
HOTSPOTS; 
 
(e) to offer such other related services in the furtherance of this Act. Sec. 3. 
Section 7 of Republic Act No. 7743 Is hereby amended to read as 
follows: 
 
Sec. 3. Section 7 of Republic Act No. 7743 is hereby amended to read as follows: 
 
"Sec. 7. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this 
Act shall be included in the General Appropriations Act of the year following its 
enactment into law [and for the next five (5) years: thereafter this local 
government units shall undertake the maintenance of public libraries and reading 
centers while the National Library shall continue provide reading materials and 
supplies to the said libraries and reading centers]. IN ORDER TO PROVIDE 
FUNDS NECESSARY FOR THE ELECTRONIC LIBRARY SYSTEM TO 
BE IMPLEMENTED, THE BUDGET OF THE NATIONAL LIBRARY 
SHALL BE INCREASED IN THE AMOUNT OF FIVE HUNDRED 
MILLION PESOS (P500,000,000.00) PER YEAR UNTIL ALL CITIES AND 
MUNICIPALITIES IN THE PHILIPPINES ARE PROVIDED AND HAVE 
ACCESS TO FULL ELECTRONIC LIBRARY FACILITIES." 
 
Sec. 4. Role of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT). – 
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) shall assist in the 
provision of cutting-edge computer and electronic library technology, as well as a fast and 
reliable Internet connection, through the Department's flagship programs, including but not 
limited to the Technology for Education, Employment, Entrepreneurs, and Economic 
Development (Tech4ED) Project. 
 


Sec. 5. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is subsequently declared 
invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions hereof which are not affected thereby shall remain in 
full force and effect. 
 
Sec. 6. Repealing Clause. - All other laws, acts, presidential decrees, executive orders, 
presidential proclamations, issuances, rules and regulations, or parts thereof which are contrary 
to or inconsistent with any of the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or 
modified accordingly. 
 
Sec. 7. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the 
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
Approved,