Question & AnswerQ&A (DECS ORDER NO. 109, S. 1999)
The primary objective of the YECS Program is to provide students with options to either pursue higher education or establish their own sources of livelihood by developing entrepreneurship and cooperatives skills at the secondary level.
The Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS), Bureau of Secondary Education (BSE), Office of Youth Sector Representative, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Cooperatives Development Authority (CDA), and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) partnered to launch the YECS Program.
All DECS Regional Offices are enjoined to expand the coverage of the YECS Program to include at least one secondary school per division annually and implement the program according to the Revised YECS Concept Paper and its Implementing Rules and Regulations.
All Regional Offices must submit a Five-Year Expansion Plan (1999-2004) according to specifications by the YECS Technical Working Group.
Designated YECS School-Based Moderators, their Alternates, and other personnel involved in the expansion plan must undergo intensive training on cooperativism and entrepreneurship.
Training expenses are chargeable against the Regional/Division Office concerned, local funds, School Board fund, and funds allocated for student and co-curricular activities under the DECS budget, subject to availability and accounting rules.
They are encouraged to coordinate closely with partner agencies and initiate the implementation of the YECS expansion down to the school level.
The expansion of the YECS Program aligns with the pro-poor agenda by providing youth with livelihood opportunities and entrepreneurship skills, potentially reducing poverty.
These documents govern the proper implementation of the YECS Program to ensure uniformity and adherence to the program objectives across all regions and schools.
The Order expects immediate and wide dissemination to ensure all concerned parties are informed and can comply accordingly.