PARANAQUE City Rep. Joy Myra Tambunting filed a measure establishing ‘adopt-a-library’ program and providing incentives.

In House Bill 9320 or the proposed Adopt-a-Library Act, Tambunting stressed libraries play a fundamental role in creating opportunities for learning, support literacy, and education.

She said libraries offer countless learning opportunities that can fuel economic, social and cultural development.

“The reality, however is that the maintenance and operation of public libraries is costly, especially for public educational institutions and local government units,” Tambunting said in her explanatory note.

Owing to this, Tambunting insisted the State needs to introduce measures that would allow for the updating and improved operations of public libraries.

House Bill 9320 mandates the establishment of the Adopt-a-Library program which will allow private sector to assist a local government unit, public elementary or secondary school, or State University of College in establishing and maintaining libraries within their respective jurisdiction.

The libraries established under the Program shall be inclusive of educational materials such as but not limited to encyclopedias, dictionaries, maps, and globes.

Under the bill, libraries shall also be provided with at least five computers and a working internet connection.

It was also stressed in the measure that a memorandum of agreement specifying the details of the adoption shall be entered into between private entity and concerned authority.

All expenses made for the construction of libraries and provision of educational materials and equipment under the act shall be exempted from the donor’s tax.