A proposed ordinance seeks to establish reading centers in all barangays in the city to provide accessible educational resources and promote literacy, knowledge, and cultural development within the community.
Grounded in the constitutional mandate of prioritizing education and social progress, the proposed ordinance provides a framework for creating reading hubs in the barangays. These localized reading centers will not only house various reading materials like books, magazines, journals, and digital resources but also serve as community spaces for educational activities, cultural programs, and training in information technology.
Authored by Councilor Leandro Yangot Jr. and Liga ng mga Barangay President Rocky Aliping, the proposed ordinance mandates the collaboration between the barangays and the Baguio City Public Library in establishing and maintaining these reading centers.
The barangays will provide infrastructure, operational budgets, and personnel while the City Library will supply the necessary materials, training, and technical support.
To sustain operations, barangays are required to pass resolutions guaranteeing their commitment to these reading centers and allocate funds for their upkeep. Meanwhile, the City Library will ensure compliance with standards set by the National Library of the Philippines.
The ordinance specifies minimal fees charged by the reading centers for certain services to sustain their operations while ensuring affordability for the community. For the printing fee, the first three pages of printing are provided free of charge with a minimal cost applied for any additional pages. For the charging fee, clients using the center’s charging facilities will pay P20.00 per hour with users required to bring their own charging devices.
The proposed ordinance has been approved by the Baguio City Council on first reading and referred to the Committee on Education, Culture, Creativity, and Historical Research for review. Baguio City – Sangguniang Panlungsod Release
