Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 7743)
The main purpose of Republic Act No. 7743 is to establish congressional, city, and municipal libraries and barangay reading centers throughout the Philippines to promote moral and intellectual well-being, elevate literacy levels, and recognize the vital role of knowledge in nation-building.
The National Library, in coordination with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), is primarily responsible for implementing the act, with consultation also involving the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and various local government units.
The declared national policy is to promote the moral and intellectual well-being of the people, eradicate illiteracy by the end of the century, and establish public libraries and reading centers across the Philippines as part of nation-building.
Public libraries should be established in every congressional district, city, and municipality, while reading centers should be established in every barangay except where such facilities already exist.
The National Library is responsible for providing the standard set of reference books and other materials such as encyclopedias, dictionaries, maps, and globes upon the establishment of the libraries.
Barangays are responsible for providing the site for the barangay reading centers, which are to be part of the local government unit's development plan.
The initial period of implementation is five years, with priority given to congressional districts, cities, municipalities with no existing public libraries, and barangays situated in remote, isolated, and rural areas.
They must make available various reading materials, offer venues for audio-visual presentations and exhibitions, promote literacy through activities by government or private entities, and offer other related services to support the Act.
The initial funding is appropriated from the General Appropriations Act for the year following the law's enactment and for the next five years; thereafter, the maintenance responsibility shifts to local government units, while the National Library continues to supply materials.
The Director of the National Library must submit progress reports to each House of Congress within 90 days of the Act's approval and at the end of every calendar year thereafter.
The National Library, in coordination with the DILG and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), must promulgate the implementing rules and regulations within 60 days after the Act's approval.
All acts, presidential decrees, executive orders, and other issuances inconsistent with RA 7743 are repealed or amended accordingly as stated in the repealing clause.
The Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in a newspaper of general circulation.