TO provide students a safe and quiet place to study, Rep. Mike Defensor of AnaKalusugan party-list has vowed to open the Quezon City Public Library (QCPL) 24 hours a day, seven days a week, if he is elected mayor of the country’s largest city.

“We want the Quezon City Public Library to serve as a breeding ground for future topnotchers in the Bar exams and other professional licensure exams, just like the Cebu City Public Library that is also open 24/7,” Defensor, who is running for Quezon City mayor, said.

“On our watch, the Quezon City Public Library will never close, because we want it to be always ready to accommodate students who want to concentrate on their studies or in their reviews for their eligibility exams,” Defensor said.

“This will be our way of supporting the hopes and dreams of our students,” Defensor said.

At present, the Quezon City Public Library is open only from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m., Monday to Friday. It is closed on weekends and public holidays.

In contrast, the 24/7 operations of the Cebu City Public Library has drawn national attention for helping to produce topnotchers.

Bar topnotcher Marcley Augustus Natu-el credited the Cebu City Public Library for providing him a good environment to study and review.

Natu-el posted on social media a photo of him studying at the Cebu City Public Library a year before he would rank No. 2 in the 2018 Bar exams.

Justine Lei Ramos, who ranked No. 1 in the 2019 Architecture licensure exams, also recognized the Cebu City Public Library for giving her space to focus on her review.

Defensor said he intends to expand the Quezon City Public Library and improve its high-speed internet connectivity to draw in more students looking for a peaceful place to study.

“We will allow students to bring their own food or snacks while they are studying in the library, which will also provide free charging for their laptops, tablets, or mobile phones,” Defensor said.

At present, the Quezon City Public Library charges students a fee of P20 per hour if they use the library’s charging station, while the Cebu City Public Library provides free gadget charging.

Defensor also pledged to increase the Quezon City Public Library’s computer stations so that students would not be restricted to just one hour of use.