SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian proposed the declaration of November of every year as National Reading Month, which will be celebrated with reading programs.

Gatchalian filed Senate Bill 475 or the proposed National Reading Month Act, which seeks to develop the habit and inculcate a culture of reading in young learners and in their communities.

“Ang pagbabasa ay isa sa mga pinakamahalagang pundasyon ng ating mga kabataan na dapat patatagin. Sa pamamagitan ng panukala nating National Reading Month, paiigtingin natin ang pakikilahok ng ating mga komunidad upang isulong ang kultura ng pagbabasa,” the chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education said.

Under the measure, the National Library and all congressional, city and municipal libraries, as well as barangay reading centers are mandated to participate in the month-long celebration.

Telecommunications companies will be required to provide free access to the Department of Education’s online educational platforms, digital libraries, and other online knowledge hubs and sites.

The DepEd shall also be mandated to host a book fair in coordination with the National Book Development Board.

As the lead coordinating body in conducting activities for the National Reading Month, the DepEd shall maximize public participation from the barangay to the regional levels, which entails engagement of the expertise, services, and resources of the media, book publishers, private libraries, learners’ parents, families, and other stakeholders.

The lawmaker also proposed that all purchases of any reading materials made in the month of November shall be discounted at a rate not lower than 20% of the regular price.