By Tamara Morrigan Catada

Senator Sherwin "Win" Gatchalian filed Senate Bill No. 477, establishing an online library, giving students free and undisrupted access to digitized copies of textbooks and learning materials.

Under the "Philippine Online Library Act," the Department of Education (DepEd) is mandated to create digitized copies of all textbooks and reference books it deems necessary for the public education of elementary and secondary learners.

These will be compiled in the proposed online library and be jointly managed by the DepEd and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT). In addition, the DepEd and the National Library of the Philippines will have joint custody over the digitized copies of textbooks.

"While we return to face-to-face classes, our public libraries, one of the country's pathways to educational resources, should remain pandemic-proof –– ubiquitous and accessible –– regardless of the geographical location and type of device used by the learners," the senator explained.

To ensure access to digitized textbooks, the DepEd will provide computers, laptops, and other appropriate devices to all public elementary and secondary schools nationwide. On the other hand, the DICT will give free, reliable, and secure internet access pursuant to Republic Act No. 10929 or the "Free Internet Access in Public Places Act."

"Bahagi ng pagsulong natin sa digital transformation sa sektor ng edukasyon ang ating mga aklatan. Sa pamamagitan ng panukala nating Philippine Online Library, hindi lang natin matitiyak ang pagpapatuloy ng edukasyon, matitiyak din natin na ang ating mga mag-aaral ay magkakaroon ng access sa mga dekalidad na aklat at learning materials (Our libraries are part of our advocacy for the digital transformation of the education sector. Through the Philippine Online Library Act, we not only ensure the continuance of education, but also guarantee our students' access to quality books and learning materials)," Gatchalian concluded.