Question & AnswerQ&A (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 16)
The official title of Republic Act No. 8047 is the "Book Publishing Industry Development Act."
The main policy objective is to promote the continuing development of the book publishing industry with private sector participation to ensure adequate supply of affordable, quality books for the domestic and export markets, and to foster national development through intellectual, technical, and cultural growth.
A 'Book' is defined as a printed non-periodical publication of at least forty-eight (48) pages, exclusive of cover pages, published in the country and made available to the public, per UNESCO standards.
The National Book Development Plan is an integrated approach for fostering book development that includes procedures and systems for balanced growth of book development and production, covering preparation and distribution of books and addressing related needs and problems.
The Board is composed of eleven (11) members: five (5) government representatives from specific departments and commissions, and six (6) private sector representatives from book-related organizations. It is under the administrative supervision of the Office of the President.
The Board is responsible for implementing policies of the Act, formulating plans for book development, ensuring payment of royalties to authors, conducting research, regulating imports, receiving donations, promulgating rules, and fostering interaction among industry stakeholders, among others.
Violators face fines up to One hundred thousand pesos (₱100,000) or imprisonment up to five (5) years or both, with higher fines for juridical entities and responsible officials, forfeiture of benefits granted under the Act, and administrative sanctions by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
The Department of Education, Culture, and Sports (DECS) shall consult with the Board in setting guidelines and specifications for public textbooks, phase out its own textbook publishing within three years, and support private publishers who will assume textbook publication and distribution functions.
Registered persons and enterprises are entitled to applicable fiscal and non-fiscal incentives under the Omnibus Investment Code, including tax and duty-free importation of books or raw materials, subject to qualifications and monitoring by the Board.
The Act took effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation, which was after its approval on June 7, 1995.