Late-night Learning Hubs Act

Senato /Office of the incarp TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session AUG -4 P1:15 SENATE RECEIVED B) S. No._ Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF LATE-NIGHT LEARNING HUBS IN HIGHLY URBANIZED AND FIRST-CLASS COMPONENT CITIES TO PROVIDE SAFE, SUSTAINABLE, AND ACCESSIBLE PUBLIC STUDY SPACES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES EXPLANATORY NOTE The Philippine Constitution guarantees the right to quality education at all levels and mandates the State to make such education accessible to all (Article XIV, Section 1). Public libraries play a vital role in fulfilling this constitutional mandate by serving as inclusive spaces for reading, research, and lifelong learning. Republic Act No. 7743, enacted in 1994, laid down this vision by providing for the establishment of congressional, city, and municipal libraries and barangay reading centers nationwide. However, the needs of Filipino learners and the nature of learning itself have significantly evolved in the past three decades. In today's highly urbanized and digitally driven environment, many students resort to 24-hour coffee shops, fast-food chains, and convenience stores just to find a place to study or access the internet. These spaces are not always safe, accessible, or conducive to learning-often posing financial burdens and exposing students to late-night risks. This bill seeks to modernize Republic Act No. 7743 by institutionalizing Late- Night Learning Hubs within public libraries, particularly in highly urbanized and first- class component cities. These hubs shall remain open beyond regular hours-and in key cities, operate 24/7—and be equipped with essential amenities such as reliable Wi-Fi, charging stations, study desks, lighting, and restrooms. The measure also mandates that these facilities be accessible via public and active transport (e.g., bike

racks and pedestrian pathways), ensuring safe and inclusive mobility for students and users. To future-proof library infrastructure and align with the country's environmental goals, the bill also encourages green building design, including energy-efficient lighting, solar energy systems, and water conservation features. Moreover, national government agencies such as the Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and the National Library of the Philippines are tasked to provide the technical support and digital infrastructure necessary for sustainable implementation. The Late-Night Learning Hubs Act affirms the State's commitment to educational access, safety, and sustainability. It ensures that public libraries are not only preserved, but meaningfully transformed to meet the needs of a new generation of learners in a knowledge-based and digitally connected society. In view of the foregoing, the urgent passage of this bill is sought. LOREN LEGARDA

Senate Office of the Priciary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) AUG -4 P1:16 First Regular Session ) SENATE RECEIVED B: S. No._ Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF LATE-NIGHT LEARNING HUBS IN HIGHLY URBANIZED AND FIRST-CLASS COMPONENT CITIES TO PROVIDE SAFE, SUSTAINABLE, AND ACCESSIBLE PUBLIC STUDY SPACES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Late-Night Learning

2 Hubs Act."

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to promote inclusive

access to education and safe learning environments, particularly in highly urbanized and densely populated areas. To support students who study during late hours and reduce dependence on commercial establishments, the State shall institutionalize the establishment of 24/7 public libraries that are accessible, well-equipped, 8 environmentally sustainable, socially inclusive, and conducive for academic use.

Sec. 3. Mandatory Establishment of 24/7 Public Libraries or Study Hubs. - All

10 highly urbanized cities (HUCs) and first-class component cities shall establish and operate at least one public library or study hub that remains open and operational twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days a week. These facilities must be safe, well-lit, and equipped with essential amenities such as broadband internet, charging stations, study desks, and clean restroom facilities. They shall be designed or retrofitted in accordance with recognized green building standards, incorporating energy-efficient lighting, solar panels, rainwater

1 harvesting systems, and other sustainability features to reduce their environmental 2 footprint and operational costs.

Sec. 4. Accessible Location and Active Transport Integration. - To promote

inclusive mobility, 24/7 public libraries shall be located in accessible areas and 5 supported by active transport infrastructure, including but not limited to bicycle racks, 6 pedestrian walkways, and proximity to public transportation stops to ensure ease of 7 access for users at all hours.

Sec. 5. Green and Climate-Resilient Infrastructure and Procurement. - To

9 encourage sustainability and resilience in public infrastructure, local government units 10 are strongly encouraged to design, retrofit, and operate Late-Night Learning Hubs in accordance with green building principles and climate-adaptive features. This may include the use of energy-efficient lighting, passive cooling systems, solar energy, water-saving technologies, and disaster-resilient design, particularly in flood- or earthquake-prone areas. LGUs are further encouraged to adopt environmentally and culturally responsive procurement practices. This includes prioritizing locally sourced, renewable, or recycled materials-such as sustainably harvested bamboo, rattan, abaca, and other indigenous and heritage-based materials-for furniture, furnishings, and finishes used within the hubs. In support of these efforts, national government agencies may provide technical assistance, knowledge-sharing platforms, or grant incentives to LGUs that adopt innovative or exemplary green and cultural design practices in their implementation of this Act. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), in coordination with the Climate Change Commission (CCC), the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), shall develop supplemental guidelines or incentive programs to support local governments in adopting sustainable and culturally respectful standards under this section.

Sec. 6. Social Inclusion and Accessibility. - No person shall be denied access to

Late-Night Learning Hubs on the basis of age, gender, disability, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression (SOGIE), or socioeconomic status.

1 All facilities shall adopt gender-responsive and disability-inclusive designs, including 2 but not limited to: separate and secure restrooms for all genders; ramps, tactile surfaces, and assistive technology for persons with disabilities; and well-lit, safe 4 premises with trained security personnel and surveillance systems. The design and operation of these facilities shall be coordinated with the 6 Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), the National Council on Disability Affairs 7 (NCDA), and the Commission on Human Rights (CHR).

Sec. 7. Safe Spaces and Anti-Harassment Protocols. - The Late-Night Learning

9 Hubs shall implement safety measures in accordance with Republic Act No. 11313 or 10 the Safe Spaces Act. Library staff and security personnel shall undergo gender 11 sensitivity and anti-sexual harassment training. Each facility shall post clear safe space guidelines, and provide accessible mechanisms for reporting and addressing violations.

Sec. 8. Community Participation and Feedback Mechanisms. - LGUs shall

ensure meaningful community engagement in the planning and operation of Late- Night Learning Hubs. Youth groups, student organizations, women's and PWD 16 organizations, and civil society shall be consulted. Each facility shall maintain an anonymous feedback system, both onsite and online, to continuously monitor safety, accessibility, and service delivery.

Sec. 9. Support from National Agencies. - The Department of the Interior and

Local Government (DILG), in coordination with the Department of Education (DepEd), the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and the National Library of the Philippines (NLP), shall assist LGUs in the planning, technical implementation, staffing, and sustainability of these facilities.

Sec. 10. Implementation Plan and Reporting. - Within six (6) months from the

effectivity of this Act, covered LGUs shall submit to the DILG a library development and operations plan that includes site identification, facility design, sustainability components, budget allocation, and staffing arrangements for overnight operations. The DILG shall consolidate and submit an annual progress report to Congress on the status of implementation, challenges encountered, and best practices, for a period of five (5) years.

Sec. 11. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days from

2 the effectivity of this Act, the DILG, in coordination with DepEd, DICT, DENR, CCC, NLP, PCW, NCDA, and CHR, shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.

Sec. 12. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the initial implementation

of this Act shall be charged against the current appropriations of the concerned local 7 government units. Thereafter, such amounts necessary for the continued implementation shall be included in the annual budgets of the concerned LGUs.

Sec. 13. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,

10 rules and regulations, or parts thereof that are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Sec. 14. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or

unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

Sec. 15. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,