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Republic of the Philippines ee “ay ,
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

5710

HOUSE BILL NO. —"

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE ALFRED VARGAS

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Public libraries play a vital role in the national and social development of our
citizens. Libraries contribute to the improvement of literacy in the country, enable easy
access to information and information technology, help deepen one’s rootedness in the
community, and facilitate the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage. If
properly supported, public libraries provide the people with access to resources which
can help improve their intellectual, economic, and social well-being.

As we are now in the modern era of information literacy, the State must recognize
the immense potential of technology and public libraries as hand-in-hand partners in
the development of a strong nation.

This bill seeks to equip our public libraries with the latest computer and
electronic library technology. Through this, we are closing the gap between the
citizens - the children, the youth, the vulnerable and marginalized, the entrepreneur,
or the scientist - and their access to technology and information, thereby empowering
people to unleash their potential and meet their information needs.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

FRED VARGAS


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

5710

HOUSE BILL NO. __

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE ALFRED VARGAS

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:

SECTION 1. Section 2 of RA 7743 is hereby amended to read as follows:

SECTION 2. Establishment of Public Libraries and Reading Center.
The National Library in coordination with the Department of the 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 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]
ESTABLISHMENT PROGRAM OF THE NATIONAL LIBRARY SHALL BE BASED
ON 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 AND OTHER MATERIALS AS PROVIDED
UNDER SEC. 3 OF THIS ACT AS WELL AS THE LATEST ELECTRONIC LIBRARY
SYSTEM USING COMPUTERS 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 ELECTRONICALLY-OPERATED LIBRARY SYSTEM”.

SEC. 2. Section 7 of RA 7743 is hereby amended to read as follows:


“Section 7. Appropriation. 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 to 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. 3. Role of the DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION and COMMUNICATIONS
TECHNOLOGY (DICT). - The Department of Information and Communications
Technology (DICT) shall assist in the provision of the cutting-edge computer and
electronic library technology, as well as a fast and reliable internet connection, through
the Department's flagship program, the Technology for Education, Employment,
Entrepreneurs, and Economic Development (Tech4ED) Project.

SEC. 4. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations, or
portions thereof, inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 5. Effectivity. - This Act take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete
publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,