Amount and Payment of Clothing Allowance
- Fixed annual clothing allowance set at P150 per female teacher.
- Payment shall be made in cash.
- Initial installment for Calendar Year (CY) 1978 to be paid immediately from 1977 budgetary savings.
- Unpaid balance for CY 1978 to be paid from savings realized during CY 1978.
- From CY 1979 onwards, specific budget allocation in the Department of Education and Culture (DEC) for clothing allowances.
Funding and Budgetary Provisions
- Amount charged against savings in programmed appropriations for current operating expenditures of the DEC.
- Local government units (LGUs) authorized to grant similar allowances to local school teachers, with costs charged to LGU budgetary savings, including national government aid released to them.
- Expected disbursement amount approximated at P52.5 million for approximately 350,000 teachers.
Administrative Guidelines and Regulations
- Secretary of Education and Culture tasked to issue guidelines to ensure uniformity in uniform style, color, type of material, and specifications.
- Guidelines must not be so restrictive as to mandate purchase from a specific manufacturer or brand.
- Commissioner of the Budget to issue rules on identification and use of savings and release of funds pertaining to the clothing allowance.
- Secretary of Finance to promulgate rules and regulations applicable to schools supported by local government units.
Possible Linkage Arrangement for Uniform Procurement
- Exploration of potential linkage among the Development Bank of the Philippines, textile manufacturers, and the national government.
- Joint responsibility of the Secretary of Education and Culture, Commissioner of the Budget, and Chairman of the Development Bank of the Philippines.
- Submission of recommendations to the President regarding such an arrangement.
Implementation Timeline and Effectivity
- Clothing allowances effective starting Calendar Year 1978.
- Immediate initial payment from 1977 budget savings to address urgent need.
- Subsequent payments and budgetary provisions structured to maintain sustainability of the allowance program.
Penalties and Enforcement
- The letter of instructions does not specify particular penalties or enforcement mechanisms beyond administrative compliance.
- Emphasis on proper administration and adherence to budget regulations to ensure the program’s success.
This letter of instruction establishes a structured financial and administrative framework for granting clothing allowances to female public school teachers, ensuring uniformity, prudent use of budgetary savings, and exploring partnerships to enhance cost efficiency.