WHEREAS, the Constitution mandates that the State shall protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels and shall take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all;

WHEREAS, the State is also mandated to encourage non-formal, informal and indigenous learning systems, as well as self-learning, independent, and out-of-school study programs particularly those that respond to community needs:

WHEREAS, it is likewise essential to recognize the distinct needs of indigenous people to become literates and pursue continuing education that will specifically reflect their unique culture and preserve existing beliefs, customs and traditions;

WHEREAS, the period from 1990-1999, by virtue of Proclamation No. 480, series 1989. had been declared as the "Decade of Education for All" which seeks to universalize literacy the year 2000 and beyond;

WHEREAS, the United Nations General Assembly has proclaimed the UN Literacy Decade for the period 2003-2012 towards the goal of Education for All; and

WHEREAS, there is a need to strengthen and intensify government, non-government and private sector efforts to deliver literacy services and related interventions particularly to those depressed, disadvantaged and underserved areas.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order:

1. The Literacy Coordinating Council shall serve as the national advisory and coordinating body to provide overall policy and program direction to the country's literacy efforts and to spearhead the movement for the universalization of literacy in the country in view of the United Nations Resolution No, 56/116 Section 3 which "reaffirms the Dakar Framework for Action adopted at the World Education Forum, in which commitments were made to achieve a 50 percent improvement in levels of adults literacy by 2015 and to improve the quality of education".
2. The Department of Education shall lead and coordinate government's efforts in identifying the needs and priorities of the government's literacy programs and projects.
3. The Department of the Interior and Local Government shall mobilize and ensure that all Local Chief Executives assume responsibility for univerzalizing literacy as a component of their development plans, and that literacy indicators be included as one of the criteria for evaluation of the performance of Local Chief Executives.
4. The National Statistics Office shall ensure that timely and accurate statistics in literacy are provided through the regular conduct of the Functional Literacy Education and Mass Media Survey (FLEMMS) every five (5) years, starting in 2003.
5. The Department of Budget and Management shall provide budgetary appropriations for the regular conduct of the Functional Literacy Education and Mass Media Survey (FLEMMS) every five (5) years.
6. The Philippine Information Agency shall tap the active participation of media in generating public awareness, expanding and improving the outreach, support and delivery of literacy programs and projects,
7. The State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) through the initiatives of the Philippine Normal University shall conduct research studies geared towards the development and enhancement of literacy programs and projects and to mobilize the academic community to include literacy concerns in the teacher-training curriculum.
8. Non-Government Organizations, together with People's Organizations, shall be encouraged and harnessed by the government to contribute resources and expertise in universlizing literacy in our country.

Provisions of circulars and other issuances, which are inconsistent with this Memorandum Circular are deemed amended, repealed and superseded accordingly.

This Memorandum Circular shall lake effect immediately.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 31st day of March, in the year of our Lord, two thousand and three.

By the President:

(Sgd.) ALBERTO G. ROMULO
Executive Secretary