Republic Act 6966,

Republic Act 9246 and

other Legislation on
Librarianship
Prepared by:

JEANETTE EZRA T. GIANAN

MLIS Student Batch 2
 Chronology of Events: RA 6966
 September 19, 1990 – Approval of the repealed law RA 6966, An Act
Regulating the Practice of Librarianship and Prescribing the Qualifications
of Librarians by President Corazon C. Aquino.

 December 5, 1990 – Effectivity date of RA 6966 and reckoning date for the
compliance of requirements (e.g. years of experience in librarianship) for
registration without examination.
 Republic Act 6966
The Philippine Librarianship Act 1990
 “Scope of the practice of librarianship – The practice of librarianship shall
constitute in holding out oneself as skilled in the knowledge, art and
science of the organization, dissemination, preservation and conservation
of recorded information; the rendering, furnishing and contracting of
professional services such as consultations and advice on the organization
and management of libraries, data banks, research and information
centers to clients on a fee basis or otherwise; the teaching of subjects in
the library and information sciences; and the signing or authenticating for
clients of documents or reports when called for.”
 Chronology of Events: RA 9246
 December 2, 2003 – House Bill (HB) No. 5351 An Act Modernizing the
Practice of Librarianship in the Philippines thereby Repealing RA 6966 was
passed by the House of Representatives.

 December 16, 2003 – Senate Bill (SB) No. 2579 (Senate version) was passed
by the Senate.

 February 19, 2004 – The Consolidated HB No. 5351 and SB No. 2579
entitled, An Act Modernizing the Practice of Librarianship in the Philippines
thereby Repealing Republic Act No. 6966, Appropriating Funds Therefor
and For Other Purposes was signed and approved by President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo as RA 9246.
 Chronology of Events:
 March 1, 2004 – RA 9246 was published in the Manila Times, a national
newspaper of general circulation.

 March 17, 2004 – Effectivity date of RA 9246 fifteen (15) days following its
publication in the Manila Times.
 Republic Act 9246
Philippine Librarianship Act of 2003

 AN ACT MODERNIZING THE PRACTICE OF LIBRARIANSHIP IN THE PHILIPPINES

THEREBY REPEALING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6966, ENTITLED: “AN ACT
REGULATING THE PRACTICE OF LIBRARIANSHIP AND PRESCRIBING THE
QUALIFICATIONS OF LIBRARIANS,” APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
 Republic Act 9246
Philippine Librarianship Act of 2003

ARTICLE I TITLE, STATEMENT OF POLICY, DEFINITION OF TERMS, SCOPE OF THE PRACTICE

 SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as “The Philippine
Librarianship Act of 2003.”
 SECTION 2. Statement of Policy. — “The State recognizes the essential role
of librarianship as a profession in developing the intellectual capacity of
the citizenry thus making library service a regular component for national
development…
 … It shall, through honest, effective, and credible licensure examination
and regulatory measures, undertake programs and activities that would
promote and nurture the professional growth and well-being of
competent, virtuous, productive, and well-rounded librarians whose
standards of practice and service shall be characterized by excellence,
quality, and geared towards world-class global competitiveness.”
 SECTION 3. Objectives. – This Act shall govern the following:
(a) National examination for licensure, registration of librarians, issuance
of Certificate of Registration and Professional Identification Card;
(b) Supervision, control and regulation of practice of librarianship;
(c) Integration of librarians under one national organization; and
(d) Development of professional competence of librarians.
 SECTION 4. Definition of Terms.
(a) Librarian – refers to an individual who is a bona fide holder of a
Certificate of Registration and Professional Identification Card issued by the
Professional Regulatory Board for Librarians and by the Professional Regulation
Commission in accordance with this Act.
 Statistics of registered librarians

• 6,177 are licensed librarians but only 5,969 are

registered and listed in the Roster of Librarians

• 4,230 were licensed through examination

• 1,947 were recognized through

exemption
 SECTION 5. Scope of Practice. — Librarianship shall deal with the
performance of the librarian’s functions, which shall include, but not be
limited to the following:
(1) Selection and acquisition of multi-media sources of information which
would best respond to clientele’s need for adequate, relevant and timely
information;
(2) Cataloguing and classification of knowledge or sources of information
into relevant organized collections and creation of local databases for
speedy access, retrieval or delivery of information;
(3) Development of computer-assisted/computer-backed information
systems which would permit online and network services;
(4) Establishment of library systems and procedures; dissemination of
information; rendering of information, reference and research assistance;
archiving; and education of users;
 SECTION 5. Scope of Practice. — Librarianship shall deal with the
performance of the librarian’s functions, which shall include, but not be
limited to the following:
(5) Teaching, lecturing and reviewing of library, archives and information
science subjects, including subjects given in the licensure examination;
(6) Rendering of services involving technical knowledge/expertise in
abstracting, indexing, cataloguing and classifying; or the preparation of
bibliographies, subject authority lists, thesauri and union catalogues/lists;
(7) Preparation, evaluation or appraisal of plans, programs and/or
projects for the establishment, organization, development and growth of
libraries or information centers, and the determination of library requirements
for space, buildings, structures or facilities;
(8) Provision of professional and consultancy services or advice on any
aspect of librarianship; and
(9) Organization, conservation, preservation and restoration of historical
and cultural documents and other intellectual properties.
 ARTICLE II CREATION OF THE PROFESSIONAL REGULATORY BOARD FOR LIBRARIANS
 SECTION 6. Creation and Composition of the Board. – There is hereby
created a Professional Regulatory Board for Librarians, hereinafter called
the Board, under the administrative supervision and control of the
Professional Regulation Commission, hereinafter referred to as the
Commission, to be composed of a Chairperson and two (2) members who
shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines from among the list
of three (3) recommendees for each position submitted by the
Commission from among the list of five (5) nominees for each position
submitted by the accredited, integrated national professional
organization of librarians from among the librarians of recognized standing
who qualify under SEC 7 of this Act. The new Board shall be constituted
within three (3) months from the effectivity of this Act.
 Creation of Professional Regulatory
Board for Librarians
Chairman – Hon. Yolanda C. Granda
Members – Hon. Lourdes T. David
Professional Regulation Commission

Hon. Teofilo S. Pilando, Jr.

Chairman

Hon. Jose Y. Cueto, Jr

Commissioner

Hon. Yolanda D. Reyes

Commissioner
 SECTION 7. Qualifications of Members of the Board. – The Chairperson and
members of the Board, at the time of their appointment, shall possess the
following qualifications:
(a) A natural born citizen and resident of the Philippines;
(b) A good reputation and moral character;
(c) A librarian as defined in “section 4(a)” of this Act;
(d) Active in the practice of librarianship for at least ten (10) years, five (5)
years of which is in a managerial position;
(e) Must not be a member of the faculty of a university, college, school or
institution conferring the academic degree on librarianship, or offering review
classes for librarian licensure examination; nor a person who has a direct or
indirect pecuniary interest in any such institution; and
(f) Must not be an incumbent officer of the accredited, integrated
national professional organization of librarians.
 SECTION 8. Powers, Functions and Duties of the Board. – The Board shall
exercise executive/administrative, rule making and quasi-judicial powers in
carrying out the provisions of this Act. It shall be vested with the following
specific powers, functions, duties and responsibilities:
(a) To promulgate and administer rules and regulations necessary to carry
out the provisions of this Act;
(b) To administer oaths in connection with the administration of this Act;
(c) To adopt an official seal of the Board;
(d) To issue, suspend or revoke the Certificate of Registration and Professional
Identification Card or grant or cancel a temporary/special permit;
(e) To look into the conditions affecting the practice of librarianship, and
when necessary, adopt such measures as may be deemed proper for the
enhancement and maintenance of high ethical, moral and professional
standards of librarianship;
(f) To adopt policies and set the standards for all types of libraries, librarians
and the practice of librarianship;
 (g) To ensure, in coordination with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), that all institutions
offering library, archives and information science education comply with prescribed standards for
curriculum, faculty and facilities for course offerings of library science, or library and information
science;
(h) To adopt and prescribe a Code of Ethics and a Code of Technical Standards for Librarians;
(i) To hear and decide administrative cases involving violations of this Act, its Implementing Rules
and Regulations or the Code of Ethics or the Code of Technical Standards for Librarians; and for this
purpose, issue subpoena ad testificandum and subpoena duces tecum to ensure the appearance of
witnesses and the presentation of documents in connection therewith;
(j) To prescribe guidelines in the Continuing Professional Education (CPE) in coordination with the
accredited and integrated association for professional librarians;
(k) To prepare, adopt, issue or amend the syllabi or terms of specification of subjects for the
librarian licensure examination consistent with the policies and standards set by the CHED; and
(l) To discharge other powers and duties as the Board may deem necessary for the practice of
librarianship and the continued growth and development of librarians, libraries and library education in
the Philippines.

The policies, resolutions, rules and regulations issued or promulgated by the Board shall be subject
to review and approval of the Commission. However, the Board’s decision, resolution or order rendered
in administrative case shall be subject to review only if on appeal.
 SEC 9. Term of Office. – The Chairperson and the members of the Board shall
hold office for a term of three (3) years until their successors shall have been
appointed and duly qualified: Provided, That members of the first Board to
be appointed after the approval of this Act shall hold office for the following
terms: the Chairperson for three (3) years, one member for two (2) years and
the other member for one (1) year: Provided further, That the Chairperson or
any member may be reappointed for another term of three (3) years but in
no case shall the whole term exceed six (6) years. Interim vacancies in the
Board shall be filled for the unexpired portion of the term only. Each member
shall take the proper oath of office.
 SEC 10. Compensation of the Board. – The Chairperson and members of the
Board shall receive compensation and allowances comparable to that
being received by the Chairperson and members of existing regulatory
boards under the Commission as provided for in the General Appropriations
Act.
 SEC 11. Removal or Suspension of Board Members. – The Chairperson or any
member of the Board may be removed or suspended by the President of the
Philippines on recommendation of the Commission if found guilty after a proper
administrative investigation, based on the following grounds: neglect of duty,
incompetence, unprofessional, unethical, immoral or dishonorable conduct;
any violation of this Act, or the Code of Ethics and the Code of Technical
Standards for Librarians; or commission or toleration of irregularities in the
examination such as manipulation, rigging of examination results, disclosure of
secrets and information on examination questions prior to conduct of
examination, tampering of grades or final judgment, or criminal offense
involving moral turpitude.
 SEC 12. Executive Officer and the Secretary of the Board. – The Chairperson of
the Commission shall be the Executive Officer of the Board and shall conduct
the licensure examination for librarians. The Commission shall designate the
Secretary of the Board and shall provide the Secretariat and other support
services to implement the provisions of this Act.
 ARTICLE III LICENSURE EXAMINATION AND REGISTRATION
 SEC 14. Examinations. – Applicants for registration, except those
specifically allowed under SEC 19 of this Act, shall be required to
undergo a written licensure examination to be given by the Board in
such places and dates the Commission may designate subject to
compliance with the requirements prescribed by the Commission.
 SEC 15. Qualifications of Applicants. – Applicants for licensure examination
must meet the following qualifications at the time of filing of applications:
(a) Citizen of the Philippines or a foreign citizen whose country has
reciprocity with the Philippines as regards the practice of librarianship;
(b) Good health and good moral character; and
(c) Graduate of Bachelor’s degree in Library Science and Information
Science: Provided, That a holder of a master’s degree in Library and
Information Science shall be allowed to qualify for application to the
licensure examinations: Provided, further; That within five (5) years from the
effectivity of this Act, holders of the following degrees shall also be allowed to
qualify for application to the licensure examination:
(1) Bachelor of Science in Education or Elementary Education; or
Bachelor of Arts with a major or specialization in Library Science;
(2) Master of Arts in Library Science or Library and Information Science; or
(3) Any masteral degree with concentration in Library Science.
 SEC 16. Scope of Examination. – The licensure examination for
librarianship shall consist of the following subjects:
(1) selection and acquisition of multi-media sources of information;
(2) cataloguing and classification;
(3) indexing and abstracting;
(4) reference, bibliography and information services;
(5) organization, management and development and
maintenance of multi-media based library or information service, laws,
trends and practices affecting the profession; and
(6) information technology.
The Board is hereby authorized to modify or add to the subjects
listed above as the needs and demands in the library profession may
require.
 SEC 17. Rating in the Board Examination. – To be qualified as having passed the
licensure examination, a candidate must obtain a weighted general average of
seventy-five percent (75%), with no grade lower than fifty percent (50%) in any subject.
 SEC 19. Registration Without Examination. – Upon application and payment of the
required fees, the Board shall issue a Certificate of Registration and Professional
Identification Card to an applicant who, on the date of effectivity of Republic Act No.
6966, is:
(a) a practicing librarian who has completed at least a bachelor’s degree and a
librarian or supervising librarian eligible;
(b) a practicing librarian who has completed at least a bachelor’s degree, eighteen
(18) units in Library Science, five (5) years experience in librarianship, and a first grade
eligible or its equivalent;
(c) a practicing librarian who has completed a masteral degree in Library Science or
Library and Information Science, and a first grade eligible or its equivalent; or
(d) a practicing librarian who has completed at least a bachelor’s degree, eighteen
(18) units in Library Science, and seven (7) years experience in librarianship.
Those who qualify under this section shall be given three (3) years within which to
apply for registration upon the effectivity of this Act.
 SEC 23. Revocation and Suspension of Certificate of Registration and Professional
Identification Card or Cancellation of Temporary/Special Permit.
1. unprofessional or dishonorable conduct;
2. malpractice;
3. incompetence;
4. serious ignorance or negligence in the practice of librarianship;
5. fraud;
6. deceit or falsification in obtaining a certificate of registration, professional
identification card, or temporary/special permit;
7. abetment of illegal practice by allowing illegal use of his/her certificate of
registration, or professional identification card, or temporary/special permit;
8. practice of profession during the period of suspension; or any violation of this
Act, its Implementing Rules and Regulations, the Code of Ethics or the Code of
Technical Standards for Librarians, or Board policies. The respondent may appeal the
Board’s decision, order/resolution to the Commission within fifteen (15) days from
receipt thereof.
 ARTICLE IV PRACTICE OF LIBRARIANSHIP
 SEC 26. Illegal Practice of Librarianship. – A person who does not have a
valid Certificate of Registration and Professional Identification Card or a
temporary/special permit from the Commission shall not practice or offer
to practice librarianship in the Philippines or assume any position, which
involve performing the function of a librarian as provided under SEC 5 of
this Act.
 SEC 27. Certificate of Registration/Professional Identification Card and
Professional Tax Receipt. – The Certificate of Registration, Professional
Identification Card and Professional Tax Receipt number of the librarian
shall be reflected in any document issued/signed in connection with the
practice of the profession.
 SEC 28. Foreign Reciprocity. – A librarian from another country shall be
admitted for licensure examination, be issued a Certificate of Registration and
Professional Identification Card and be entitled to the rights and privileges
appurtenant to this Act, if the country or state he/she is a citizen of or subject,
permits Filipino librarians to practice librarianship on an equal basis as the
librarians of said country or state: Provided, That the requirements for
Certificate of Registration in said country or state are substantially the same as
the requirements under this Act: Provided, further, That the law of such country
or state grants Filipino librarians the same privileges as the citizens/subjects of
that country/state.
 SEC 29. Vested Rights: Automatic Registration of Practicing Librarians. – All
practicing librarians who are registered at the time this Act takes effect shall
automatically be registered.
 SEC 30. Integrated and Accredited National Organization of Librarians. – All
registered librarians shall be integrated under a single organization recognized
and accredited by the Board and approved by the Commission.
 SEC 31. Employment of Librarians. – Only qualified and licensed librarians
shall be employed as librarians in all government libraries. Local
government units shall be given a period of three (3) years from the
approval of this Act to comply with this provision.
 ARTICLE V PENAL AND FINAL PROVISIONS
 SEC 32. Penal Provisions. – Any person who practices or offers to practice
any function of a librarian as provided for under SEC 5 of this Act who is
not registered and has not been issued by the Commission a Certificate of
Registration and Professional Identification Card, or a temporary
license/permit or who violates any of the provisions of this Act, its
Implementing Rules and Regulations, shall, upon conviction, be penalized
by a fine of not less than Thirty thousand pesos (P30,000.00) nor more than
One hundred-thousand pesos (P100,000.00), or imprisonment of not less
than one (1) month nor more than three (3) years at the discretion of the
court.
 SEC 33. Funding Provision. – The Chairperson of the Professional
Regulation Commission shall immediately include in the Commission’s
program the implementation of this Act, the funding of which shall be
included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
 SEC 34. Transitory Provision. – The present Board shall continue to function
in the interim until such time as the new Board shall have been
constituted pursuant to this Act.
 SEC 35. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The Board, subject to the
approval of the Commission, shall promulgate, adopt and issue rules and
regulations, and the Code of Ethics and the Code of Technical Standards
for Librarians which shall take effect fifteen (15) days following publication
in the Official Gazette or newspaper of general circulation.
 SEC 36. Separability Clause. – If any clause, provision, paragraph or part
hereof shall be declared unconstitutional or invalid, such judgment shall
not affect, invalidate or impair any other part hereof, but such judgment
shall be merely confined to the clause, provision, paragraph or part
directly involved in the controversy in which such judgment has been
rendered.
 SEC 37. Repealing Clause. – Republic Act No. 6966 is hereby repealed
and all other laws, decrees, orders, rules, regulations, ordinances or parts
thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or
amended accordingly.
 SEC 38. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its
publication in the Official Gazette or a national newspaper of general
circulation.
 Aims of RA 9246

 To supervise, control and regulate the practice of librarianship

 To integrate the librarians into one national organization (Philippine
Librarians Association, Inc.)
 To develop the professional competence of librarians.
 Republic Act 7743

 AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF CONGRESSIONAL, CITY

AND MUNICIPAL LIBRARIES AND BARANGAY READING CENTERS
THROUGHOUT THE PHILIPPINES, APPROPRIATING THE NECESSARY FUNDS
THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
 Approved: June 17, 1994
 SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby declared the national
policy to promote the moral and intellectual well-being of the people.

 Sec. 2. Establishment of Public Libraries and Reading Centers. — The

National Library in coordination with the Department of the Interior and
Local Government (DILG) shall undertake the establishment of additional
public libraries to serve all congressional districts cities and municipalities
in the Philippines and reading centers in every barangay
 Sec. 3. Role of the National Library. — The National Library shall provide the
standard set of reference books and other materials such as but not limited
to encyclopedias, dictionaries, maps and globes upon the establishment
of the libraries. The National Library shall continue to supply the public
libraries with the other books, non-book materials, equipment supplies and
other appropriate and relevant reference and reading materials taking
into consideration the needs of the community concerned.

 Sec. 4. Site. — The establishment of the public libraries and reading centers
shall be an integral part of the development plan of each local
government unit: Provided, That barangays shall provide the site for
barangay reading centers.
 Sec. 5. Period of Implementation. — The overall national plan of
implementation shall cover initially a period of five (5) years: Provided,
That those congressional districts, cities and municipalities with no existing
public libraries as well as barangays situated in remote, isolated and rural
areas, shall have priority in the allocation of resources.
 Within one hundred twenty (120) days from the effectivity of this Act, the
National Library in consultation with the DILG, the Department of Public
Works and Highways (DPWH) and the different local government units,
shall come out with the list of priority areas, taking into account the
commitment of the local government units in the establishment and
maintenance of public libraries and barangay reading centers.
 Sec. 6. Functions of the Public Libraries and Barangay Reading Centers. —
The public libraries and barangay reading centers shall have the following
functions:
 (a) to make available to the members of the community reading
materials of wide array including reading materials prescribed by the
Department of Education Culture and Sports and national newspapers
of general circulation and others;
 (b) to be used as a venue for audio-visual presentation in the
community and other kinds of exhibitions and activities aimed at
increasing the literacy rate by government agencies, non-
governmental organizations or private entities in the dissemination of
information of general interest; and
 (c) to offer such other related services in the furtherance of this Act
 Sec. 7. Appropriations. — The amount necessary to carry out the provisions
of this Act shall be included in the General Appropriations Act of the year
following its enactment into law and for the next five (5) years; thereafter,
the local government units shall undertake the maintenance of public
libraries and reading centers while the National Library shall continue to
provide reading materials and supplies to the said libraries and reading
centers.chanrobles virtual law library

 Sec. 8. Submission of Reports. — Within ninety (90) days from the approval
of this Act, and at the end of every calendar year thereafter the Director of
the National Library shall submit progress reports to each House of Congress
on the implementation of this Act.
 Sec. 9. Rules and Regulations. — Within sixty (60) days from the approval
of this Act, the National Library, in coordination with the DILG and the
Philippine Information Agency (PIA), shall promulgate the implementing
rules and regulations.
 Sec. 10. Repealing Clause. — All acts, presidential decrees, executive
orders and issuances inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or
amended accordingly.
 Sec. 11. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional or inoperative, the other provisions not so declared shall
remain in force and effect.
 Sec. 12. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after publication in a newspaper of general circulation.
 Republic Act 7160
THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES
 CHAPTER 1. - THE CODE: POLICY AND APPLICATION
SEC. 17. Basic Services and Facilities.
(a)Such basic services and facilities include, but are not limited to, the
following:
(1) For a Barangay:
(vii) Information and reading center;
(2) For a Municipality:
(v) Information services which include investments and job
placement information systems, tax and marketing information systems,
and maintenance of a public library;
 Other Legislation on Librarianship
 Professional Regulation Commission (PRC)
 Created by Presidential Decree No. 223 as amended by Presidential
Decree No. 657.
 RA No. 8981 or known as PRC Modernization Act of 2000
 Board for Librarians (BFL)
 BFL approved a Code of Ethics through Resolution No. 2, dated August 14,
1992. It consists of a Preamble and 32 sections grouped into articles.
BFL has the power to evaluate the application for registration, give or
conduct the licensure examinations, register the successful examinees,
and regulate their practice within the territorial jurisdiction of the
Philippines.
BFL are empowered to conduct investigations implementing the PRC
Modernization Act 2000.
 “The Code of Good Governance for the Professions in the Philippines
provides that all professionals should treat their colleagues with respect and
shall strive to be fair in their dealings with one another. No one group of
professionals is superior or above others. All professionals perform an
equally important, yet distinct service to society. In the eyes of the
Professional Regulation Commission of the Philippines, all professionals are
equal and, therefore, every one should treat other professionals with
respect and fairness, and that includes the Filipino professional librarian.”

The Professionalization of Filipino Librarians – Corazon M. Nera

 References:

David, L. T., & Perez, D. R. (2006). An assessment of the perception of licensed. (pp. 416-422). School of
Communication & Information, Nanyang Technological. Retrieved from :
http://hdl.handle.net/10150/105136

Republic Act 9246. Retrieved from http://www.officialgazette.gov.ph

Republic Act 6966. Retrieved from https://www.lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra1990/ra_6966_1990.html

Republic Act 7743. Retrieved from http://www.chanrobles.com/republicactno7743.htm#.WtBY-YhubIU

http://rizal.lib.admu.edu.ph/rlconflibmgt/Pps/nera.pps.
Thank you! 