Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has filed Senate Bill 477, aiming to establish an online library in the Philippines that’s accessible to all students.
Under this bill, the Department of Education (DepEd) shall create a digital copy of all textbooks and reference books it deems necessary for public education.
The books shall be compiled in the Philippine Online Library, which shall be jointly managed by the DepEd and the Department of Information and Communications Technology.
“Matitiyak natin na magkakaroon ang mga mag-aaral at mga guro ng access sa mas maraming mga aklat. Sa ganitong paraan, matitiyak natin na magpapatuloy ang edukasyon makaranas man tayo ng kalamidad o mga sakuna (We can ensure that learners and teachers will have access to a greater number of books. This way, education continues even if there are calamities or disasters),” Gatchalian said.
Moreover, the bill mandates DepEd to utilize materials from the National Library of the Philippines (NLP) to promote Filipino culture and literature.
Gatchalian, chair of Committee on Basic Education, said digital education tools help learners catch up and bridge learning gaps caused by school disruptions.
“By making libraries pandemic-proof, learners can access a broader range of textbooks and materials, while teachers can reach out to marginalized learners,” Gatchalian said.
