WHEREAS, it is recognized that there is a need to improve and enhance productivity in the business sector to make Philippine businesses more competitive in the global market in accordance with the Medium-Term National Action Agenda for Productivity formulated under the Estrada Administration;

WHEREAS, the development and maintenance of a substantial pool of technology managers and research and development experts is imperative to make Philippine businesses more competitive in the global market;

WHEREAS, it is imperative to provide technical and industry-based subjects to students so as to produce more competent technology managers and research and development experts;

WHEREAS, in order to produce competent technical experts and research and development managers, educational institutions must provide highly qualified and competent science and math instructors;

NOW THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH EJERCITO ESTRADA, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by the virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order:

SECTION 1. Introduction of Technical and Industry-based Subjects in All Levels of Education Including Public Schools/Institutions. - The Department of Education, Culture and Sports, the Commission on Higher Education and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority is hereby directed to work together to establish policies which shall inject technical and industry-based subjects as well as on-the-job-training programs into the curricula of high school, collegiate and vocational levels.

SEC. 2. Upgrading of Qualifications of Math and Science Teachers. - The Department of Education, Culture and Sports and the Commission on Higher Education are also directed to issue policies to upgrade the qualification requirements of Mathematics and Science teachers in all levels of education.

SEC. 3. Submission of Annual Reports. The Department of Education, Culture and Sports and the Commission on Higher Education, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority shall submit annual reports to the President through the Philippine Council for Productivity (PCP) on the implementation of this directive.

SEC. 4. Funding. Funds for this purpose shall be sourced from the regular budget of the concerned agencies, subject to the appropriate rules and regulations.

SEC. 5. Effectivity. - This Administrative Order shall take effect immediately.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 13^th day of March, in the Year of Our Lord, Two Thousand.

(Sgd.) JOSEPH EJERCITO ESTRADA
President of the Philippines

By the President:
(Sgd.) RONALDO B. ZAMORA
Executive Secretary