WHEREAS, the Constitution provides that the State shall encourage nonformal, 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, the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS) through the Bureau of Nonformal Education (BNFE) is mandated to provide nonformal basic education services on behalf of the Philippine Government;

WHEREAS, the Education for All-Philippine Plan of Action (EFA-PPA) conceived the development of a Nonformal Accreditation and Equivalency System envisioned to provide an alternative means of obtaining elementary and secondary certificates of learning to Filipinos unable to avail of the educational opportunities of the formal school system;

WHEREAS, the Bureau of Nonformal Education has developed the Nonformal Accreditation and Equivalency (NFE A&E) System with funding assistance from the Asian Development Bank, thereby transforming the twenty year dream of the Philippine Government for a truly nonformal alternative learning system into reality.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH EJERCITO ESTRADA, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby direct all concerned government agencies and local government units to support the Nonformal Education Accreditation and Equivalency (NFE A&E) System as one of the pro-poor flagship projects of the Philippine government dedicated to breaking the cycle of illiteracy and poverty and providing opportunities to the educationally disadvantaged to upgrade their skills and knowledge in order to improve their social, political and economic quality of life.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 23^rd day of April, 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