Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

5742

HOUSE BILL NO. __

Introduced by REP. Michael L. Romero

EXPLANATORY NOTE

It is hereby declared a policy of the Republic of the Philippines to promote the
continuing development of the book publishing industry, with the active
participation of the private sector, to ensure an adequate supply of affordable,
quality-produced books not only for the domestic but also for the export market.
For this purpose, the Government shall formulate, adopt, and implement a
National Book Policy and a corresponding National Book Development Plan
that will serve as the enduring basis for fostering the progressive growth and
viability of the book Industry.

This House Bill seeks to recognized and establish that the book publishing industry
has a significant role in national development, considering that books which are
its products are instrumental in the citizenry’s intellectual, technical and cultural

development.


Thus, the early passage of this bill is earnestly requested.

MICHAEL'L. ROMERO Ph.D


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

5742

HOUSE BILL NO. ©

Introduced by REP. Michael L. Romero

AN ACT
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO.8047, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE
“BOOK PUBLISHING INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT ACT“ TO ADOPT A MORE
SYSTEMATIC, COMPREHENSIVE AND EFFECTIVE FORMULATION AND
IMPLEMENTATION OF A NATIONAL BOOK POLICY AND A NATIONAL
BOOK DEVELOPMENT PLAN, PROVIDING STIFFER PENALTIES AND
SANCTIONS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representative of the
Philippines in congress assembled:

SECTION 1. DECLARATION OF POLICY - It is hereby a policy of the state to
foster that the basic social foundation for the economic and social growth of
the country are - Books, that these are the most effective and economical tools
for achieving educational growth, for imparting information and for recording,

preserving, and disseminating the nation's cultural heritage.
SECTION 2.

Section 14 of Republic Act No. 8047, is hereby amended to read as follows:


Sec. 14. Penalties — Any person who violates any provision of this Act or
the terms and conditions of the rules and regulations issued pursuant
thereto, or aids or abets in any manner any violation shall be subject to a
fine of not less than One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) or
imprisonment of not more than six (6) years or both, at the discretion of

the court.

If the violation is committed by a juridical entity, it shall be subject to a fine
not less than five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00). The president
and/or officials responsible therefore shall also be subject to a fine not less
than five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00) but not exceeding One
million pesos (P1,000,000.00).

In addition to the foregoing, any person, firm, or juridical entity involved
shall be subject to forfeiture of all benefits granted under RA8047.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) shall have the power to
impose administrative sanctions as provided herein for any violation of this

Act or its implementing rules and regulations.

SECTION 3.
Section 16 of Republic Act No. 8047, is hereby amended to read as follows:

Sec. 16. Appropriations — For the initial operating expenses of the Board
and the Secretariat, the amount of Five million (P5,000,000.00) pesos is
hereby appropriated to be charged to the Office of the President.


Thereafter, it shall submit to the Department of Budget and Management
(DBM) its proposed budget for inclusion in the General Appropriations Act.

Appropriations for the succeeding years shall be included in the General
Appropriations Act. It shall likewise receive a continuing appropriations of
Twenty million pesos (P20,000,000.00) per year, and every year after upon
implementation of this Act drawn from the national government to carry-

out the mandates of this act.

SECTION 4. TRANSITORY PROVISION — Existing industries, businesses
and offices affected by the implementation of this Act shall be given six
(6) months transitory period from the effectivity of the IRR or such other
period as may be determined, to comply with the requirements of this
Act.

SECTION 5. IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS. — The
departments and agencies charged with carrying out the provisions of
this Act shall, within sixty (60) days after the effectivity of this Act, formulate

the necessary rules and regulations for its effective implementation.

SECTION 6. REPEALING CLAUSE. — All laws, decrees, executive orders,
tules and regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this

Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 7. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE. - If, for any reason, any section or
provision of this Act is held unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or

provisions hereof shall not be affected thereby.

SECTION 8. EFFECTIVITY CLAUSE. ~ This Act shall take effect after
fifteen (15) days from its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least


two (2) national newspapers of general circulation whichever comes
earlier.

Approved,