UNIT 1: LAWS, TRENDS AND PRACTICES AFFECTING
THE PROFESSION
Law that provided for the modernization of the
Professional Regulations Commission (PRC)
Republic Act No. 8981, otherwise known as the PRC
Modernization Act of 2000 was approved on Dec. 5,
2000. It expressly repealed Republic Act No. 546,
Presidential Decree No. 223, Presidential Decree No.
657, Republic Act No. 5181 and Executive Order No.
226 (1995).
Features of the new PRC law
The term of office of the PRC Commissioner is seven
(7) years without reappointment.
Commissioner must at least be forty (40) years old,
holding a valid certificate of registration and has had
five (5) years of executive or management experience.
Composition of the PRC
Three (3) man commission to be headed by one full-
time Chairperson with the rank of Secretary and two
(2) full-time Commissioners. Provided that one of the
Commissioners must be a past Chairperson / member
of a Professional Regulatory Board. At present, the
PRC Chairman:
Latest law on Philippine Librarianship
Republic Act No. 9246 – 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.”
Rep. Act No. 9246 approved / effective
❖ Signed into law by the Pres. – February 19, 2004
❖ Published in Manila Times – March 1, 2004
❖ Published in Official Gazette – April 12, 2004
❖ Effectivity Date per Exec. Order 200, s. 1986 –
March 16, 2004
Objectives of Republic Act No. 9246
This act shall govern the following:
Admission
❖ National examination for licensure
❖ Registration of librarians
❖ Issuance of Certificate of Registration &
Professional Identification Card
Regulation
❖ Supervision, control & regulation of the practice of
librarianship integration.
❖ Integration of librarians under one national
organization.
❖ Continuing Professional Education.
❖ Development of professional competence of
librarians.
Scope of the Practice of Librarianship
❖ Selection and acquisition of multi-media sources of
information.
❖ Cataloguing and classification of sources of
information.
❖ Creation of local databases.
❖ Development of computer-assisted / backed
information system.
❖ Establishment of library systems and procedures.
❖ Dissemination of information.
❖ Rendering of information, reference and research
assistance.
❖ Determination of library requirements for space,
buildings, structures or facilities.
❖ Provision of professional and consultancy services
and advice on any aspect of librarianship.
❖ Archiving
❖ Education of users
❖ Teaching, lecturing and reviewing of library,
archives and information science subjects.
❖ Rendering of services in abstracting, indexing,
cataloguing, and classifying.
❖ Preparation of bibliographies, subject authority
lists, thesauri, union catalogs.
❖ Preparation, evaluation, appraisal of plans,
programs & projects for the establishments of library
or information centers.
❖ Organization, conservation, preservation and
restoration of historical and cultural documents and
other intellectual properties.
RA 9426. Republic Act No. 9246 is implemented by Qualifications of applicants to the licensure
Resolution No. 5, s. 2004 otherwise known as the examinations for librarians
Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act
No. 9246. ❖ Citizen of the Philippines
❖ Foreign citizen (on the basis of reciprocity)
Professional Regulatory Board for Librarians. A ❖ Good health and good moral character
Professional Regulatory Board for Librarians is
❖ Graduate of a Bachelor’s Degree in Library Science
composed of a Chairperson and two (2) members
and Information Science or Master’s Degree in Library
appointed by the President of the Philippines from
and Information Science
among the list of recommendees submitted by the
❖ Within five (5) years from the effectivity of the law,
PRC from among the list of nominees submitted by
graduates of the following degrees are also qualified.
the accredited integrated national professional
(March 16, 2009)
organization of librarians from among the librarians of
Ø Bachelor of Science in Education or
recognized standing who qualify under Section 7.
Elementary Education.
Ø Bachelor of Arts with Major or
Qualifications of members of the PRB for Librarians:
Specialization in Library Science.
At the time of their appointment, they shall possess
Ø Master of Arts in Library Science or Library
the following:
and Information Science.
❖ A natural born citizen and resident of the
Ø Any masteral degree with concentration in
Philippines.
Library Science.
❖ Of good reputation and moral character.
❖ Active in the practice of librarianship for at least ten Ergo: After March 16, 2009, only those BSLIS / MLIS
(10) years, five (5) years of which is in a managerial Graduates can take the Librarians Licensure
position. Examination (PRC Legal Opinion dated July 18, 2008
❖ Must not be a member of the faculty of a university, Re: Legal Interpretation of Section 15 Article III of
college, school or institution conferring the academic Republic Act No. 9246)
degree of librarianship or offering review classes for
librarian licensure examination nor a person who has Subjects of the licensure examination for librarians
a direct or indirect pecuniary interest in any such and their relative weight
institution. ❖ Selection and acquisition of multi-media sources of
❖ Must not be an incumbent officer of the accredited information (15%)
integrated national professional organization of ❖ Cataloguing and classification (20%)
librarians. ❖ Indexing and abstracting (15%)
❖ Reference, bibliography and information services
Republic Act No. 9246, age is no longer one of the
(20%)
qualifications of members of the PRB for Librarians.
❖ Organization, management, development and
Unlike under Republic Act No. 6966 where a member
maintenance of multi-media based library or
should at least be 40 years of age at the time of
information services, laws, trends and practices
appointment.
affecting the profession (20%)
❖ Information technology (10%)
Term of office of PRB for Librarians
The Chairperson and members of the Board shall hold
Note: (The relative weights for each subject was
office for a term of three (3) years renewable for
determined by the PRB for Librarians pursuant to Res.
another term of three (3) years but in no case shall the
whole term exceed six (6) years. The first Board was 1 –Implementing Rules & Regulations (IRR)
composed of: Dr. Irene D. Amores as Chairman and
Ms. Susima L. Gonzales and Ms. Belen B. Angeles as
Members
Passing grade for the licensure examination
To pass the examination, an examinee must
obtain a weighted general average of 75% with no
grade lower than 50% in any subject.
Note: (Republic Act No. 6966 did not provide any
grade requirement in its provision, instead it was
provided in its Implementing Rules and Regulations -
WGA of 75% and a disqualifier of below 60%.)
However, in Republic Act No. 9246, the passing grade
and disqualifier grade is mandated in the law and not
in the Implementing Rules and Regulations.
How many times can an examinee take the
examination? As many times one likes to take it. The
law deleted the provision on repeaters under Republic
Act No. 6966 which was three (3) to four (4) times.
Grandfather Clause. A grandfather clause is a
provision in a new law or regulation exempting those
already in or a part of the existing system which is
being regulated.
Section in Rep. Act No. 9426 that is being referred to
as a Grandfather Clause
Section 19, which states, that upon
application and payment of the required fees,
certificates of registration as librarian shall be issued
without the necessity of licensure examination to
qualified applicants, is being referred to as a
grandfather clause.
Who can be granted certificate of registration
without having to take the licensure examination?
❖ A practicing librarian who has completed at least a
bachelor’s degree and a librarian or supervising
librarian eligible.
❖ 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.
❖ 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.
❖ 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.
Note: Application to avail of this section had lapsed
since March 16, 2007 because the law stated three (3)
years from the effectivity of this law which was March
16, 2004.
Can an examinee be refused issuance of certificate of
registration and Professional ID Card even if he
passed the licensure examination?
❖ The Board has the power, after due notice and
hearing,
❖ On grounds per Sec. 22
❖ Unprofessional or dishonorable conduct
❖ Malpractice
❖ Incompetence
❖ Serious ignorance or negligence in the practice of
librarianship
❖ Fraud
❖ Deceit or falsification in obtaining a Certificate of
Registration, or Prof. ID or Temp. / Special permit
❖ Abatement of illegal practice by allowing illegal use
of his / her Certificate of Registration, or Prof. ID or
Temp. / Special permit
❖ Practice of profession during the period of
suspension
❖ Any violation of Republic Act No. 9246,
Implementing Rules and Regulations, Code of Ethics,
Code of Technical Standards for Librarians or Board
policies.
Roster of Librarians
The Board and the Integrated Professional
Organization of Librarians shall maintain a roster
which is:
❖ Up to date.
❖ Complete.
❖ Properly organized.
❖ Arranged alphabetically by surname with
addresses and license number.
❖ Arranged numerically by license number.
❖ Copies of which shall be provided as permanent
record of The National Library (TNL), Civil Service
Commission (CSC) and the Accredited Integrated
National Organization of Librarians.
Constitute illegal practice of librarianship
When a person practices or offer to practice
librarianship or assume any position which involve
performing the scope or function provided in Section
5 of Republic Act No. 9246 and does not have a valid
certificate of registration, Professional ID Card or
temporary / special permit from the Commission.
Librarians registered under Rep. Act No. 6966
Section 29 of Republic Act No. 9246 so stated
Automatically registered under the new law
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.
Membership in this organization shall not be a bar to
membership to any other association of librarians.
Provision of the new law as regards government
librarians specially those in local government
libraries / public libraries
The law stressed that all librarians working in
government libraries including public libraries must
be licensed librarians. This requirement must be
complied with by local government units beginning
February 19, 2004 until three (3) years thereafter or
February 19, 2007 which had already lapsed.
Penalty for illegal practice of librarianship and other
offences
Fine of not less than P 30,000.00 nor more
than P 100,000.00 Or Imprisonment of not less than
one (1) mo. nor more than three (3) years.
Note: Under Rep. Act No. 6966
Fine = not less than P 500.00 nor more than P 2000.00
or Imprisonment of not less than one (1) mo. nor
more than two (2) years.
Present law/authority on CPE
Resolution No. 2008-466, s. 2008 repealing
Resolution 2004-179, s. 2004 entitled standardized
Guidelines and Procedures for the Implementation of
the CPE System for all Professions and Implementing
the Revised Standardized Guidelines and Procedures
for the Implementation of CPE for all Registered and
Licensed Professionals.
Continuing Professional Education (CPE)
Continuing Professional Education refers to the
inculcation, assimilation and acquisition of
knowledge, skills, proficiency and ethical and moral
values after the initial registration of a professional
that raise and enhance the professional’s technical
skills and competence. (Sec. 1 of the CPE Guidelines)
Objectives of the CPE
1. To provide and ensure the continuous education of
a registered professional with the latest trends in the
profession brought about by modernization and
scientific and technological advancement.
2. To raise and maintain the professionals capability
for delivering professional services.
3. To attain and maintain the highest standards and
quality in the practice of his/her profession.
4. To comply with the professionals continuing ethical
requirements.
5. To make the professional globally competitive.
6. To promote the general welfare of the public.
Various Organizations and Celebrations
PCCA and NCCA
Presidential Commission on Culture and Arts (PCCA)
was created by Executive Order No. 118 s. 1987
mandated to formulate and maintain the national
policy, support, and dissemination of frameworks for
culture and the arts.
This Commission has for its successor-in-interest the
National Commission for Culture and Arts (NCCA) by
virtue of Republic Act No. 7356. It now formulate
policies for the development of culture and arts and
implement these policies in coordination with
affiliated cultural agencies.
Organizational units of NCCA
It is composed of the Commission,
Subcommissions, National Committees. The
Commission has Board of Commissioners,
Subcommissions has Subcommissions Heads and the
National Committees has Heads. These 19 Heads of
National Committees form the National Advisory
Board (NAB).
National Committee on Libraries and Information since then amended its By-laws. On June 20, 2008,
Services (NCLIS) SEC has approved a New PLAI By-laws.

This is a committee under the Sub-Commission on
Cultural Heritage of the NCCA which is tasked to
formulate policies for the development of culture and
arts by libraries, librarians and library educators.
Library and Information Services Mont was tasked to
NCLIS of the NCCA.
What is the composition of the NCLIS?
The NCLIS has Executive Council (Execom) consisting
of 13 members, with the following representations:
3 Luzon
3 Visayas
3 Mindanao
2 NCR
2 Ex-Officio -TNL & PLAI
Incumbent President of PLAI- Mr. Rene L. Manlangit
The regular member of the Association is grouped
into Chapters representing the sixteen (16) regions
covering the entire archipelago.
For Region III
Central Luzon Region Librarians Council (CeLRLC) is
composed of librarians from the seven (7)
provinces and the cities therein which constitute
Region III, namely: Aurora. Bataan, Bulacan,
Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac and Zambales.
Incumbent President – Dr. Maria Pretty Lay T. Abdala

CONSAL Governing structure of PLAI

The Congress of Southeast Asian Librarians (CONSAL)
was formed in August 1970. Current members are
Brunei, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Malaysia,
Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and
Cambodia. CONSAL convenes a general conference at
least once in three (3) years in each member country
by rotation. CONSAL II (1973), CONSAL VII (1987) and
CONSAL XIII (2006) were held in the Philippines.
CONSAL XVIII (2019) was held in Phnom Penh,
Cambodia.
Each regional council has seven (7) members of the
Board of Trustees (Council Board). The Council
Officers are elected from among themselves. The
Council President and Vice-President and a
Representative represent the Council in the House of
Delegates.

Business Management and Related Group group in

the association of accredited professional
organization does the library profession belong

Two (2) biggest annual celebration of PLAI mandated

by Proclamation No. 109, s. 1936 and Proclamation
No. 837, s. 1991
1. Proclamation No. 109 designated the period from
Nov. 24 – 30, each year as National Book Week.
2. Proclamation No. 837 declared the month of
November 1991 and every year thereafter as “Library
and Information Services Month.”

Philippine Librarians Association, Inc. (PLAI)

established
PLAI was established on October 23, 1923. It was
legally incorporated in 1958 and has