WHEREAS, the development of vocational proficiency, in order to insure the aim of our educational institutions, is a constitutional and moral responsibility of our government;

WHEREAS, there is a constant and persistent request for the reopening of night classes in the Philippine School of Commerce which were in operation from 1904 to 1933, under a specific appropriation therefor;

WHEREAS, in view of the lack of government appropriation at present for the operation and maintenance of night classes in the Philippine School of Commerce, it is necessary and expedient to operate night classes therein on a self-supporting basis so as to afford struggling but ambitious working young men and women who cannot attend the day classes the opportunity to pursue vocational training and receive serious instruction for useful employment in specific business occupation, or supplementary instruction for more useful service and greater responsibility for those already employed; and

WHEREAS, the buildings and facilities of the Philippine School of Commerce lie idle during the evening after the day classes are over and can be utilized to advantage for the best interests of the public;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution and pursuant to the provisions of Commonwealth Act No. 671, known as the Emergency Powers Act, do hereby order:

1. The Philippine School of Commerce is hereby authorized to operate and maintain night classes and to collect tuition and registration fees of such amounts as may be fixed with the approval of the Secretary of Education, the proceeds thereof to be used as a revolving fund for the operation and maintenance of such night classes.
   
   
2. The Philippine School of Commerce is authorized to employ the instructors and the administrative personnel thereof from teachers, officials and employees in and/or out of the Government service; Provided, That those already in the Government service shall be entitled to receive compensation from the School in addition to their regular salaries.
   
   
3. The Philippine School of Commerce is authorized to pay the instructors per hour service and the administrative personnel per night service of 3 hours a night, at rates to be fixed in a special budget under the provisions of section 7-I (4) of Commonwealth Act No. 246, as amended, out of the collections from the tuition and registration fees paid by the students enrolled therein.
   
   
4. Any unexpended balance from appropriation in one period of operation, for salaries and wages and other expenses, shall be available for expenditure in succeeding periods unless the President of the Philippines shall require the reversion of the said balance to the unappropriated surplus of the General Fund in the National Treasury.

This Order shall take effect as of July 1, 1948.

Done in the City of Manila, this 31st day of August, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and forty-eight, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the third.


By the President:
(SGD.) EMILIO ABELLO
Executive Secretary