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.
SECTION
1. Declaration of Policy. — It
is hereby declared the national policy to promote the moral and
intellectual
well-being of the people: elevate the literacy level of every Filipino
to the end that illiteracy is eradicated by the end of the century; and
recognize the vital role of knowledge and information in
nation-building
by establishing public libraries in every congressional district, city
and municipality, and reading centers in every barangay throughout the
Philippines.chan
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chan
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Sec.
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.
The
National Library shall continue to coordinate and organize seminars,
workshops
and other trainings for the professional benefit of librarians.
Sec.
3. Role of the National Library.
— The National Library shall provide the standard set of reference
books
and other materials such as but not limited to encyclopedias,
dictionaries,
maps and globes upon the establishment of the libraries. The National
Library
shall continue to supply the public libraries with the 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. chan
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Sec.
4. Site. — The establishment
of the public libraries and reading centers shall be an integral part
of
the development plan of each local government unit: Provided, That
barangays
shall provide the site for barangay reading centers.
Sec.
5. Period of Implementation.
— The overall national plan of implementation shall cover initially a
period
of five (5) years: Provided, That those congressional districts, cities
and municipalities with no existing public libraries as well as
barangays
situated in remote, isolated and rural areas, shall have priority in
the
allocation of resources. chan
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Within
one hundred twenty (120) days from the effectivity of this Act, the
National
Library in consultation with the DILG, the Department of Public Works
and
Highways (DPWH) and the different local government units, shall come
out
with the list of priority areas, taking into account the commitment of
the local government units in the establishment and maintenance of
public
libraries and barangay reading centers.
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 including 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 presentation 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
(c) to
offer such other related services in the furtherance of this Act.
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, the 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.
Sec.
8. Submission of Reports. — Within
ninety (90) days from the approval of this Act, and at the end of every
calendar year thereafter the Director of the National Library shall
submit
progress reports to each House of Congress on the implementation of
this
Act.
Sec.
9. Rules and Regulations. — Within
sixty (60) days from the approval of this Act, the National Library, in
coordination with the DILG and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA),
shall promulgate the implementing rules and regulations.
Sec.
10. Repealing Clause. — All acts,
presidential decrees, executive orders and issuances inconsistent with
this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly. chan
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Sec.
11. Separability Clause. — If
any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional or inoperative,
the other provisions not so declared shall remain in force and
effect.
Sec.
12. Effectivity Clause. — This
Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication in a
newspaper
of general circulation.
Approved:
June
17, 1994
