Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

1383

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representatives
DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL ARROYO and GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A PUBLIC LIBRARY FOR EVERY
BARANGAY AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Constitution, Article XIV, Section 1, states that:

Section 1. The State shall protect and promote the right of all citizens to
quality education at all levels, and shall take appropriate steps to make such
education accessible to all;

The Constitution, Article XIV, Section 2, paragraph 4, further states that

Section 2. The State shall:

(4) Encourage non-formal, informal, and indigenous learning systems, as
well as self-learning, independent, and out-of-school study programs particularly
those that respond to community needs;

In order to substantiate the ideals of these particular sections of the Constitution,
Congress passed Republic Act No. 7743, "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".

R. A. No. 7743, Section 2, provides that:


Section 2. Establishment of Public Libraries and Reading Centers. — 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 reading centers: Provided, That the establishment of such
libraries and reading centers shall be based on the development program of the
National Library, 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.

While R.A. 7743, in particular Section 2, paved the way for quality education to
be accessible to cities and municipalities through public libraries; and barangays
through reading centers, new innovative breakthroughs in knowledge and information
must be fully utilized for constituents especially at the most basic unit of Philippine
society which is the barangay

It is therefore necessary to pass this proposed measure that will require the
establishment of one (1) public library for every barangay to ensure that ready access to
a wide array of information necessary for quality education to make its way to the
people at the barangay level

In view of the foregoing, the immediate enactment of this bill is most earnestly
requested.

DIOSDADO PAGAL 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

House Bill No.__1383

Introduced by Representatives
DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL ARROYO and GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A PUBLIC LIBRARY FOR EVERY
BARANGAY AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines
in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Barangay Public
Library Act of 2013.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is a policy of the State to enhance and
promote education and improvement of literacy among its citizens; to promote the moral
and intellectual well-being of the people; and recognize the vital role of education and
information dissemination in nation-building by establishing a public library in every
barangay. Pursuant to this policy, the State shall provide for the establishment of one
public library for every barangay.

SECTION 3. Establishment of a Public Library in Every Barangay. - The
chairman of every barangay shall coordinate with the provincial or city officer of the
Department of Education (DepEd) to make a feasibility study for the establishment of
one public library for every barangay.

SECTION 4. Role of the Department of Education. - The local office of the
DepEd shall be responsible for providing the standard set of reference books and other
materials such as but not limited to encyclopedias, dictionaries, maps and globes to
every barangay public library. The DepEd shall to supply the public libraries with the

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other books, non-book materials, equipment supplies and other appropriate and
relevant reference and reading materials taking into consideration the needs of the
community concerned

SECTION 5. Role of Barangay Officials. - The barangay officials shall designate
one (1) librarian to be responsible for the management of the barangay public librarian.
The local barangay officials shall also coordinate yearly with the local office of the
DepEd for updating the materials provided in the barangay public libraries

SECTION 6. Computers in Barangay Public Libraries. - Aside from books and
other materials, every barangay public library shall have at least two (2) units of
computer.

SECTION 7. Site for Barangay Libraries. — The barangay chairman shall ensure
the presence of a suitable location to be the site of the public library. As much as
possible, the public library shall be situated at the center of the barangay which is the
place most accessible to the public, especially to students.

SECTION 8. Period of Implementation. — Within one hundred twenty (120) days
from the effectivity of this Act, the DepEd and the local barangay officials, in
coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways, shall prepare the
feasibility studies for the establishment of barangay public libraries.

SECTION 9. Functions of the Barangay Public Libraries. - The barangay public
libraries shall have the following functions:

(A)To make available to the members of the community reading materials of wide
array including reading materials prescribed by the DepEd and national
newspapers of general circulation and others;

(B) To make available to the members of the community copies of barangay
ordinances;

(C)To be used as a venue for audio-visual presentations, seminars and lectures
in the community and other kinds of exhibitions and activities aimed at increasing
the literacy rate by government agencies, non-governmental organizations or
private entities in the dissemination of information of general interest; and

(D)To offer such other related services in the furtherance of this Act.

SECTION 10. 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, the local government units shall undertake the
maintenance of public libraries while the DepEd shall continue to provide reading
materials and supplies to the said libraries and reading centers.


SECTION 11. Rules and Regulations. — Within sixty (60) days from the approval
of this Act, the DepEd, in coordination with the DILG and the Philippine Information
Agency (PIA), shall promulgate the implementing rules and regulations.

SECTION 12. Separability Clause. — If any provision or part thereof is held invalid
or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall
remain valid and subsisting.

SECTION 13. Repealing Clause. — Any law, presidential decree or issuance,
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to,
or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended
accordingly.

SECTION 14. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation

Approved,