WHEREAS, the State recognizes the increasing movement of peoples across international borders as a continuing global phenomenon;

WHEREAS, Article XIV, Section 1 of the Constitution of the Philippines provides 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 education of Filipino children at overseas locations has become a primary concern among Filipino migrant workers and other Filipino nationals overseas;

WHEREAS, it is essential to provide expatriate Filipino youth with quality and affordable education that would contribute to shaping their Filipino identity and character, and facilitate the integration of children of Filipinos overseas into the Philippine educational system on their return to the Philippines;

WHEREAS, the establishment, management, and operation of Philippine schools overseas require policy directions, as well as the coordinated support and assistance from various agencies of the government;

WHEREAS, the Department of Education, Culture and Sports, hereinafter referred to as DECS, has the primary mandate of formulating, planning, implementing, and coordinating the policies, plans, programs and projects in the areas of formal and non-formal education up to the secondary level, supervising all educational institutions, both public and private, and providing for the establishment and maintenance of a complete, adequate and integrated system of education relevant to the goals of national development;

WHEREAS, the Department of Foreign Affairs, hereinafter referred to as DFA, is mandated in accordance with the Country Team Approach provided for in R.A. 8042, to provide leadership in the protection of Filipino migrant workers and the promotion of their welfare, in particular, and the protection of the dignity and fundamental rights and freedoms of Filipino citizens abroad;

WHEREAS, the Department of Labor and Employment, hereinafter referred to as DOLE, is mandated to promote the welfare and interest of Filipino migrant workers, as well as assist in the facilitation of the employment of Filipino professionals necessary to fulfill government thrusts on the development and promotion of the welfare of Filipinos overseas and their dependents;

WHEREAS, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, hereinafter referred to as OWWA, is the agency specifically tasked to protect the interest and promote the well-being of the overseas Filipino workers, including their dependents;

WHEREAS, the Commission on Filipinos Overseas, hereinafter referred to as CFO, is mandated to serve as a forum for preserving and enhancing the social, economic and cultural ties of Filipinos overseas with the Philippine motherland, and to develop and implement programs to promote the interests and well-being of Filipino youth overseas;

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

Section 1. An Inter-Agency Committee on Philippine Schools Overseas to be established and be composed of the DECS, DFA, DOLE, OWWA, and CFO as members.

The Inter-Agency Committee on Philippine Schools Overseas (IAC-PSO) shall be chaired by DECS, and co-chaired by the DFA. The CFO shall serve as the secretariat of the Inter-Agency Committee. DOLE and OWWA shall serve as members of the Committee.

The Inter-Agency Committee may call on other agencies of the government to assist in specific matters concerning Philippine schools or educational / cultural programs overseas.

Sec. 2. The Inter-Agency Committee shall serve as the policy-making body and a forum for discussion and resolution of issues concerning the establishment, operation, and management of Philippine schools overseas or such type of schools or educational programs overseas. It shall review, formulate and adopt or recommend policies and programs to establish and maintain high standards of educational management, and ensure quality education for Filipino youth overseas consistent with national policy. specifically, the Inter-Agency Committee shall undertake the following:

1. Develop policies and guidelines in connection with the establishment, operation, management, accreditation and regulation of Philippine schools and educational programs overseas;
   
   
2. Develop a system for classifying institutions overseas that provide Philippine-based curriculum and instruction;
   
   
3. Conduct studies on issues and problem areas affecting the operation of Philippine schools overseas;
   
   
4. Provide inputs to the DECS, in the development of standards and systems for monitoring and evaluation of Philippine schools overseas;
   
   
5. Hold meetings and consultations on a regular basis to ensure the effective and efficient implementation of policies and programs for Philippine schools overseas;
   
   
6. Conduct site visits and ocular inspections of Philippine schools overseas in furtherance of the objectives of this order; and
   
   
7. Serve as arbiter in matters regarding Philippine schools overseas which are brought to its attention.
   

Sec. 3. The member agencies of the Inter-Agency Committee on Philippine Schools Overseas shall assume further responsibilities as follows:

1. The Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS):
   

1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6)

2. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA):
   

1) 2) 3) 4) 5)

3. The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE):
   

1) 2)

4. The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA):
   

1) 2) 3) 4) 5)

5. The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO):
   

1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6)
Sec. 4. The Inter-Agency Committee shall provide policy guidance, advice and assistance, and encouragement to Filipino communities overseas for the establishment and operation of Philippine schools or educational programs overseas, as may be deemed necessary or desirable.

Sec. 5. All expenditures necessary for the implementation of the programs and activities of the Inter-Agency Committee on Philippine Schools Overseas, including costs of ocular inspections and honoraria, shall be charged against and provided for in the respective budgets of the member agencies.

Sec. 6. The departments and agencies identified herein shall formulate the necessary guidelines, as well as rules and regulations to effectively implement this order.

This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.

Done in the City of Manila, this 5th day of May, 2000.


By the President:

RONALDO B. ZAMORA
Executive Secretary