Creation and Composition of the Metric System Board
- Metric System Board established to coordinate and ensure orderly change to metric system.
- Chaired by the Secretary of Trade.
- Members include Secretaries of Agriculture, Natural Resources, Finance, Public Works, Education, Justice, Industry, Health, Local Government, Public Highways, National Defense, Public Information, Director General of NEDA, and Chairman of National Science Development Board.
- Alternate members and representatives can be designated.
- Board members receive a per diem of PHP 200 per meeting attended.
Powers and Duties of the Metric System Board
- Formulate a nationwide program for metric adoption and packaging standardization, consulting private sector entities.
- Program to include starting and completion dates per sector.
- Full adoption required by January 1, 1977, with possible extensions for meritorious reasons.
- Considerations include time for device modification or acquisition and information dissemination.
- Promulgate implementing rules and regulations, subject to Presidential approval.
- Ensure broad publication and dissemination of rules at least three times in major newspapers.
- Appoint personnel from division chief level upwards, prioritizing qualified displaced government employees.
Appointment and Qualifications of Metrication Director and Secretariat
- Board appoints a Metrication Director upon Chairman’s recommendation.
- Director must be a Filipino citizen, at least 35 years old, with recognized executive ability and relevant experience.
- Director’s compensation fixed at PHP 40,000 annually plus PHP 1,000 monthly allowance.
- Director of the Bureau of Product Standards acts as Executive Secretary of the Board.
- Board Chairman may request personnel detail from government offices to assist the Board.
Financial Appropriations for the Metric System Board
- An initial appropriation of PHP 500,000 allocated for fiscal year 1976.
- Subsequent funding to be included in the national budget.
- Board expenditures subject to approval by the Board itself.
Effectivity and Duration
- Decree effective immediately upon approval.
- Metric System Board mandated to cease existence by June 30, 1979.
Repealing Clause
- All laws, decrees, orders, rules, and regulations inconsistent with this decree are repealed or amended accordingly.