Solon: Mobile libraries will encourage citizens to read again

People who love to read but could not afford to buy books may soon have access to
reading materials.
Two lawmakers have filed a bill, which seeks to create mobile libraries to bring
these facilities closer to the users and encourage citizens to once again read books and
other useful and informative materials.
House Bill 2!!, otherwise known as the "#obile $ibraries %ct of 2&'(,) is in
compliance with the policy of the *tate to protect and promote the right of citizens to
+uality education and to take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all.
,ep. -iosdado #acapagal %rroyo .2nd -istrict, /amarines *ur0 said the ob1ective
of the bill is to give meaning and accord full significance to the constitutional provision by
promoting one of the most significant aspects of education, which is reading.
%rroyo, who authored the bill together with his mother, ,ep. 2loria #acapagal3
%rroyo .2nd -istrict, Pampanga0, said the same thing could be achieved through the
creation of mobile libraries.
"The mobile library is a service or an activity of many types of libraries. 4t is settled
to facilitate users who find it inconvenient to go to the library because of the distance,
time, e5pense, lack of knowledge on library, and the lack of reading habit,) %rroyo said.
The measure appropriates P'&& million from the combined earnings of the
Philippine %musement and 2aming /orporation .Pagcor0 and the Philippine /harity
*weepstakes 6ffice .P/*60 for the creation of mobile libraries.
The bill provides that budgetary support must be continued for seven years or
longer upon reasonable determination of the usefulness, relevance and effectiveness of
mobile libraries as tools for education and empowerment of citizens.
7nder the bill, the 8ational $ibrary of the Philippines shall be the main government
agency to implement the provisions of this %ct ad shall consult relevant and concerned
private and public offices, non3government organizations, members of the academe and
local government leaders on matters that will best promote and implement the
establishment of mobile libraries and its effective utilization.
The -epartment of 9inance is mandated under the bill to issue the relevant
guidelines that will provide fiscal and ta5 incentives to private companies, organizations
and foreign donors that will adopt, donate or establish mobile libraries in the country.
NR # 3455B
MAY 3, 2014
#obile libraries can be used to sponsor and conduct book weeks, book fairs, book
clubs, recognition rites for fre+uent borrowers, displaying new books and featured
selections:collections, e5position of library;s instruction programs, among others.
$ikewise, mobile libraries can also engage in sponsoring livelihood programs,
walking tours of historic and cultural heritage areas, socio3economic workshops and
trainings and others, as provided under this %ct.
"The library is one institution that serves as the gateway to the past, the present and
the future. 4n the library, one can find the resources to e5amine and confront our most
difficult problems. $ibraries provide individuals the weapons to hurdle obstacles and the
remarkable power to change,) %rroyo said. .(&0 mvip