Establish 40,000 Public Libraries Nationwide, Equip All With Computers – Legarda

SENATOR LOREN LEGARDA SAID ALL CITIES AND MUNICIPALITIES ALL OVER THE COUNTRY SHOULD HAVE LIBRARY/READING CENTERS WITH THE LATEST TECHNOLOGICAL EQUIPMENT FOR ELECTRONIC LIBRARY SERVICES.
Legarda stressed, “At present, there are only 1,136 public libraries that have been established. This figure is only a fraction of the libraries and/or reading centers that need to be set up in the 41,980 barangays and 1,618 cities and municipalities.”
Legarda filed Senate Bill No. 1428 proposing that 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.
Legarda’s bill recommends a continuous funding for additional textbooks and the latest computer and electronic library facilities to make sure that Filipino students have access to a wide variety of up-to-date learning materials.
“All our public libraries should adhere to the demands of a globalized Filipino nation.”
“The spirit of Senate Bill No. 1428 is to continuously encourage the passion for reading and seeking of new knowledge. Education is our greatest gift to the children of today who will be the leaders of tomorrow. ”
Legarda founded the “Libro ni Loren Foundation” which has continuously provided textbooks and scholarships especially to children from the rural areas.