Legarda Bats for Improved Libraries as Nation Observes Reading Month

Senator Loren Legarda today pushed for the improvement and upgrading of libraries and reading centers in the country to aid students in accomplishing their schoolwork and to revive their interest in reading.

Legarda made the call as the country observes the National Reading Month, which the Department of Education (DepEd) aims to use as an avenue to promote reading and literacy among the Filipino youth.

“We commend the DepEd for coming up with a series of programs for the National Reading Month that aims to develop a reading culture among our youth,” she said.

“We cannot deny the fact that our children today are more interested in activities such as computer games and the use of other electronic gadgets rather than in reading. We have to revive that passion for reading and we must encourage our youth to make it one of their hobbies,” she added.

In line with this, Legarda has filed Senate Bill 1428, which seeks to ensure that reading centers are established in every barangay and that these libraries adhere to the demands of a globalized Filipino nation.

The Senator explained that more than a decade after Republic Act 7743 (An Act Providing for the Establishment of Congressional, City and Municipal Libraries and Barangay Reading Centers throughout the Philippines) was enacted, only 1,136 libraries have been established nationwide.

“This proposed measure answers that need by ensuring that funds necessary to implement the law are provided for and increased annually until all cities and municipalities have access to full electronic library facilities,” she stressed.

Legarda also said that the remedial legislation aims to augment the lack of textbooks in public schools through other printed materials and electronic data and encourage the passion for reading and seeking new knowledge.

“We want each city or municipality to ensure that their libraries or reading centers have the latest technological equipment needed to provide electronic library services. There is a need to equip public libraries with 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,” Legarda concluded.