Effectivity and implementation timeline
- The Letter of Instructions takes effect immediately upon issuance and requires action by the Secretary of Education and Culture and the heads of private schools, colleges and universities.
- The Department of Education and Culture must monitor program progress through its Undersecretary of Education for Non-Formal Education.
- Program progress and implementation must be reported to the President periodically for acknowledgment of educational institutions’ concern for least fortunate communities.
Constitutional authority and policy intent
- The President issues the Letter of Instructions by virtue of the powers vested in him by the Constitution.
- The Letter of Instructions anchors the program in the “Balik-Barangay” concept aimed at improving lives in the barangay.
- It emphasizes sharing the benefits of progress with the great masses of the people through improved barangay quality of life.
- It directs participation by all sectors, especially those with special expertise and knowledge, to address problems in rural communities.
Core programs targeted for mobilization
- The Letter of Instructions requires private educational institutions to join “these programs” for least fortunate communities.
- It recognizes that students already render community service under the YCAP and CAT programs.
- It links mobilization to the government’s program of helping the out-of-school youth, farmers, homemakers, fishermen, and other sustenance workers in rural areas.
- It frames private schools, colleges, and universities as suitable partners because of their altruistic and public service orientation.
Who must act and who is covered
- The duty to respond is imposed on the Heads of Private Schools, Colleges and Universities.
- The central implementing role is assigned to the Secretary of Education and Culture.
- The coordination and monitoring function is assigned to the Department of Education and Culture, specifically through the Undersecretary of Education for Non-Formal Education.
- The community service partnership is directed toward programs serving barangay communities and out-of-school youth.
Required action by private schools
- The Secretary of Education and Culture must call upon all heads of private schools, colleges and universities to join the government programs.
- Private educational institution heads must join by organizing, expanding, or strengthening their own programs for the barangay and for out-of-school youth.
- The Letter of Instructions directs that these efforts contribute through community development service in line with the Balik-Barangay concept.
Monitoring and reporting duty
- The Department of Education and Culture must monitor the programs through the Undersecretary of Education for Non-Formal Education.
- The progress and implementation of these programs must be reported to the President periodically.
- Reporting is required so the President can properly acknowledge the educational institutions’ concern for the least fortunate communities.
Formal completion and signature
- The President signs the Letter of Instructions as (Sgd.) FERDINAND E. MARCOS.
- The letter is considered completed in the City of Manila on October 01, 1977.