NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
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•22 JUL 13 P2 ;02
SENATE
S.B. NO. 503
RiXEIV Hi BV
Introduced by SENATOR RAMON BONG REVILLA, JR.
AN ACT
™!IIZING ALL B00KS necessary FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION AND 
ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE ONLINE LIBRARY, PROVIDING FUNDS 
THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
FUNDS
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The COVID-19 pandemic iias accelerated the shift of many sectors to the digital 
realm. Given the need to minimize face-to-face transactions and limit public gathering, 
businesses and government offices have implemented online services and digital 
payments. Medical consultations and appointments with health professionals also 
transitioned to teleconferencing, as travel restrictions and the continuing threat of 
contracting the disease in public transport persist.
The same is true on the education front. Traditional classroom learning moved 
to online meetings and video conferences. Before, our teachers were using green 
blackboards on which they write the day's lessons. But today, they use green 
backgrounds for their online classes. While they used to wield chalk and pens, they 
now have internet connection and electronic devices as potent weapons of instruction.
The New Normal indicates that this online method of learning is here to stay. 
There is therefore a need to complement this evolution with a similar shift in terms of 
available learning materials and references. This bill aims to establish the Philippine 
Online Library which will house the digitized copy of all textbooks and reference books 
necessary for the intensified public education of our elementary and secondary


students. It envisions an entire library of essential reading materials at the children's 
fingertips, and easy access to a treasure trove of Filipino literature.
The creation of this online facility is also a step in the direction taken by the 
youth who spend much of their time online and on their mobile phones. While they 
are at it, we follow their lead and bring the educational materials to where they are. 
By employing the technology they enjoy using and engaging the habits they 
currently have, we can encourage them to read and study.
This measure can also be seen as a viable and cost-effective option against 
brick and mortar libraries which take many months and even more resources to build 
and operate. Moreover, as efforts are underway to improve internet services and 
connect communities through a national digital landscape, it is hoped that online 
libraries, with Its promise of education and empowerment, will be able to reach 
every young mind, including those from farthest barrios and remote villages.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is highly 
recommended.
/f
RAMO^ONG REVILLA, JR.


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NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
*22 JUL13 P 2 *02
S.B. NO.
SENATE
503
Rl:CEIVc;)B\'.
Introduced by SENATOR RAMON BONG REVILLA, JR.
AN ACT
DIGITIZING ALL BOOKS NECESSARY FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION AND 
ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE ONLINE LIBRARY, PROVIDING FUNDS 
THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
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Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the Philippine Online Library
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Act of2022."
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Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It shall be the policy of the State to ensure that
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its citizens are computer literate and are provided access to an increasingly digitized
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world. Thus, the State shall provide its citizens with the opportunity to increase their
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adaptability with information and communications technology, and to enhance their
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learning experience by providing access to digitized copies of textbooks necessary for
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the provision of quality primary and secondary education.
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Sec. 3. Philippine Online Library.- The Department of Education (DepEd) shall
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create a digitized copy of all textbooks and reference books it deems necessary for
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the public education of Philippine elementary and secondary students. This shall be
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compiled in the Philippine Online Library which shall be jointly managed by the
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Department of Education and the Department of Information and Communication
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Technology.
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Sec. 4. Provision for Access to the Digitized Copies of Textbooks. —
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The Department of Education shall ensure access to the digitized copies of textbooks


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by providing computers, laptops or appropriate wherewithal to all primary and
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secondary public schools nationwide. Similarly, in order to ensure access to the
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digitized copies of textbooks, the Department of Information and Communications
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Technology shall provide fast and reliable internet access to each primary and
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secondary public school.
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Sec. 5. Recycling of Computers. - In order to offset expenses related to the
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procurement of computers, laptops or appropriate wherewithal necessary for the
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Immediate execution of the provisions of this Act, national government agencies,
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government-owned and controlled corporations, and other government financial
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institutions which shall procure new computers shall endorse their old units to the
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Department of Information and Communications Technology to check If the computers
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can still be used for the Intent of this Act and afterwards shall be given to the
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Department of Education for deployment to primary and secondary public schools
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nationwide.
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Sec. 6. Additional Online Educational Materials. - The Department of Education
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can tap the National Library of the Philippines to complement the Philippine Online
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Library's digital repository of textbooks with additional materials that are
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representative of Filipino culture and literature. DepEd shall also be allowed to add
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other online materials that it deems necessary for expanding the learning opportunities
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for students.
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Sec. 7. Custody over Digitized Copies of Textbooks. - The Department of
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Education and the National Library of the Philippines shall have joint custody over the
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digitized copies of the textbooks. The Department of Information and Communications
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Technology shall likewise ensure the technological management of the digital
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repository to ensure the integrity of the system.
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Sec. 8. Appropriations. - The initial amount of Five Flundred Million (Php
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500,000,000.00) shall be appropriated for the immediate implementation of this Act
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and shall be jointly managed by the Department of Education and Department of
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Information and Communications Technology. An annual budget of One Hundred
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Million (Php 100,000,000.00) will be included in the annual budget of the Department
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of Education to make sure that the equipment and internet connection of public
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schools for the purpose of this Act will be maintained.


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Sec. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Department of Education, 
the Department of Information and Communications Technology, and the National 
Library of the Philippines shall have joint responsibility over the formulation of the 
Implementing Rules and Regulations necessary for the effective execution and 
enforcement of this Act. They shall do so in close coordination with the Department 
of Science and Technology, and other stakeholders. The Implementing Rules and 
Regulations shall be released within ninety (90) days from the approval of this Act.
Sec. 10. Separability Clause. - If, for any reason, any part, section, or provisions 
of this Act is held invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining provisions not affected 
thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.
Sec. 11. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, 
rules and regulations, and parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of 
this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
Sec. 12. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following 
the completion of its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) 
newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,