Knowledge on Wheels: Legarda Led the Launching of the Mobile Library in Antique

Senator Loren Legarda led the launch of two projects for the Leocadio Alonsagay Dioso Memorial Public Library on Saturday, August 16 – an outdoor covered stage and a mobile library – which she supported.

Legarda said the projects aim to make knowledge and culture more accessible to Antiqueños, especially in remote areas, by breaking down barriers to education and fostering a community-wide love for reading.

She noted that through initiatives like the mobile library, learning resources can reach even the farthest barangays, sitios, and upland communities, ensuring that every Antiqueño, regardless of location, has the opportunity to learn, dream, and be inspired.

“Sa mobile library, hindi hadlang ang distansya, hindi sagabal ang kakulangan ng pasilidad. Abot-kamay ang mga kwento, impormasyon, at pangarap saan man may indibidwal na bukas na matuto at muling magbasa ng libro,” Legarda said.

The covered stage will serve as a multi-purpose activity space, while the mobile library will bring a collection of books, educational materials, and cultural resources directly to far-flung barangays, sitios, and upland communities.

Legarda stressed that public libraries are more than repositories of books. She emphasized the significance of libraries as keepers of the stories of our country and catalysts for social change.

“Ang aklatan ay tahanan ng libu-libong kwento ng pag-asa, tapang, at pagpupunyagi. Naniniwala ako sa kakayahan ng industriya ng literatura sa paghubog ng mapanuring pag-iisip, matatag na kultura, at pambansang pagkakakilanlan,” Legarda added.

The four-term Senator, a long-time advocate of Philippine culture, arts, and heritage, has consistently supported programs to promote reading and preserve the country’s literary industry, from donating books to libraries, funding publications on culture, arts, and the environment, supporting the Philippine Book Festival, to championing the Philippines’ role as Guest of Honour country at the Frankfurt Book Fair, the largest and oldest international book fair in the world.

The Dioso Library project is another step in her continuing effort to make learning resources available to all.

“Ang proyektong ito ay alay namin sa inyo, sa bawat batang nangangarap, bawat magulang na nananabik sa maliwanag na bukas para sa anak, at bawat Antiqueño na pinanghahawakan ang kaalaman bilang susi sa pag-unlad,” Legarda concluded. (30)