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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Metro Manila devider Mayor Isko urges Manileños: Take care of our libraries, preserve our love for reading

Mayor Isko urges Manileños: Take care of our libraries, preserve our love for reading

Published Oct 29, 2025 11:21 am
Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso, together with officials of the Manila City Library, lead the opening of the city library's newest building in Sampaloc, Manila on Tuesday, Oct. 28. (Photo from Manila PIO)
Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso, together with officials of the Manila City Library, lead the opening of the city library's newest building in Sampaloc, Manila on Tuesday, Oct. 28. (Photo from Manila PIO)

Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso underscored the importance of public libraries and reading books to ensure the quality of learning of the youth and preserve the people's love of reading for generations.

"Para sa patuloy na pag-unlad ng ating lungsod, at upang masiguro na maipasa natin sa susunod na henerasyon ang kultura at kasaysayan ng ating bansa, atin pong pahalagahan ang kahalagahan ng ating mga silid-aklatan (For the continued development of our city, and to ensure that we pass on the culture and history of our country to the next generation, let us appreciate the importance of our libraries)," Domagoso said.
"Hinihikayat ko po ang lahat na gamitin at bisitahin ang mga pampublikong silid-aklatan sa Lungsod ng Maynila (I encourage everyone to use and visit the public libraries in the City of Manila)," he added.
The mayor made the statement during the launch of the Manila City Library's newest building coinciding with the celebration of its 79th anniversary on Tuesday, Oct. 28.
The Manila City Library's new home, which will serve as its main office, is located along A.H. Lacson Avenue corner Aragon Street in Sampaloc, and is equipped with an up-to-date roster of books and other educational materials that are essential to address the growing needs of the current generation. 

It also features other reading materials and equipment that can be enjoyed by all ages.

Domagoso said the creation of the building was made possible by virtue of City Ordinance No. 9136.

“Few days ago, I signed into law that this building is the home of the Manila City Library. May bago na kayong bahay, hindi na kayo iskuwater (The Manila City Library now has a new and permanent home. It will no longer be an informal settler)," he said.

"Binabati ko po ang ating OIC-City Librarian Mylene Villanueva para sa panibagong pasilidad na ito para sa bawat Batang Maynila, at ang United Architects of the Philippines na tumulong sa pagsasaayos ng children’s section at mini-theater dito (I also congratulate our OIC-City Librarian Mylene Villanueva for this new facility for every Batang Maynila, and the United Architects of the Philippines who helped in the renovation of the children’s section and mini-theater here)," Domagoso said.

"Para sa patuloy na pag-unlad ng ating lungsod, at upang masiguro na maipasa natin sa susunod na henerasyon ang kultura at kasaysayan ng ating bansa, atin pong pahalagahan ang kahalagahan ng ating mga silid-aklatan (For the continued development of our city, and to ensure that we pass on the culture and history of our country to the next generation, let us appreciate the importance of our libraries)," he stressed.

The creation of the city library was established on October 28, 1946, making it one of the first public libraries established by Manila City after World War II. The first main library was located at Madrid Street corner San Fernando Street in Binondo.

In 1964, former Mayor Antonio Villegas ordered the construction of a three-story building that relocated the city library to the Mehan Gardens near the LRT Central Station in 1988.

It was then relocated to the Sining ng Kayumanggi building in Intramuros and was transferred again beside the estero in May 2013.

The Manila City Library currently has 11 branches across the city to serve six districts.

Related Tags

ISKO MORENO DOMAGOSO MANILA CITY LIBRARY PUBLIC LIBRARY READING METRO NEWS MANILA CITY
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