Students may soon have safer, cost-free alternatives to coffee shops, fast-food chains, and convenience stores for their late-night studying if a new bill filed in the Senate is passed.
Senator Loren Legarda has introduced Senate Bill No. 795, or the proposed “Late-Night Learning Hubs Act,” which seeks to institutionalize the establishment of learning hubs inside public libraries that will remain open beyond regular hours—or even round-the-clock in key cities.
Under the measure, highly urbanized and first-class component cities will be required to operate at least one 24/7 public library or study hub, fully equipped with Wi-Fi, charging stations, study desks, proper lighting, and clean restrooms.
“The Late-Night Learning Hubs Act affirms the State’s commitment to educational access, safety, and sustainability,” Legarda wrote in her explanatory note.
“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,” she added.
Legarda emphasized that many students have no choice but to study in commercial establishments at night—options that are expensive and often expose them to unnecessary “late-night risks.”
The bill also requires that the learning hubs be accessible through public transportation, supported with bike racks and pedestrian walkways, and compliant with green building standards such as solar panels, energy-efficient lighting, and water conservation systems.