LAS PIÑAS Representative Camille Villar on Monday stressed the urgency to establish a nationwide program that would provide all barangays free access to digital learning resources.

She called on her colleagues to support her House Bill 9581 or the proposed E-Book for the Barangay Program Act of 2023.

The bill mandates the Department of Education to spearhead the program aimed at addressing limited access to educational resources, particularly in rural and marginalized communities.

“The Philippine archipelago poses significant challenges in terms of providing equitable access to educational resources, especially in rural and marginalized communities. The limited physical library infrastructures, inadequate reading materials, and a lack of access to up-to-date digital learning tools exacerbate the situation,” Villar said in her explanatory note.

Villar explained that her measure aims to establish a progressive initiative designed to bridge the digital divide, promote digital literacy, and improve access to quality educational resources for all Filipinos.

Her brother, Senator Mark Villar also filed a similar bill in the Senate.

The E-books barangay program will include a digital library platform that will provide a secure and organized database of digital learning resources, including e-books, video lectures, simulations, and other relevant materials in various fields of study and languages suitable for the local community.

The program would also initiate distribution of electronic devices such as tablets or e-readers, particularly in areas with limited Internet access, she added.