Title
Reorganization of Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports
Law
Executive Order No. 117
Decision Date
Jan 30, 1987
Corazon C. Aquino's Executive Order No. 117 reorganizes the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports to enhance its efficiency and effectiveness in delivering educational services, while redefining its powers and responsibilities to align with national development goals.

Law Summary

Title and Structural Reorganization

  • Officially named the "Reorganization Act of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports"
  • Structural and functional reorganization of the Ministry as per the Executive Order

Declaration of State Policy on Education

  • Education system must contribute maximally to national development
  • Equality of access to education for all citizens is a constitutional mandate
  • Education is a tool for cultural development and social unity

Mandate of the Ministry

  • Responsible for formulation, planning, implementation, and coordination of policies and programs in formal and non-formal education at all levels
  • Supervisory role over all education institutions (public and private)
  • Establishment and maintenance of an integrated education system aligned with national development goals

Powers and Functions of the Ministry

  • Formulate and implement policies, plans, programs, and projects in:
    • Elementary, secondary, physical, and international education
    • Non-formal and vocational/technical education
    • Higher education
    • Cultural development
    • Foreign and local assistance related to these areas

Structural Organization

  • Comprises the Ministry Proper, Bureaus, and Regional Offices

Ministry Proper Units and Responsibilities

  • Office of the Minister
  • Planning Service: planning, programming, project development
  • Financial and Management Service: budget, finance, management improvement
  • Administrative Service: legal, information, records, supplies, security
  • Human Resources Development Service: personnel management, training
  • Technical Service: technical staff functions not covered by other units

Minister of Education, Culture and Sports

  • Holds authority over the Ministry's mandate and functions
  • Appointed by the President

Office of the Minister

  • Includes the Minister and immediate staff as designated

Deputy Ministers

  • Five Deputy Ministers appointed by the President on Minister's recommendation
  • Each responsible for specific sectors:
    • Elementary, secondary, physical, international education
    • Non-formal, vocational/technical education, youth organizations
    • Higher education, cultural agencies, foreign projects
    • Internal administration, management, regional coordination
    • Legal, legislative affairs, attached agencies

Bureaus and Their Functions

  • Bureau of Elementary Education: standards, curriculum, training, school facilities
  • Bureau of Secondary Education: policy, curriculum, staff development, facilities improvement
  • Bureau of Technical and Vocational Education: manpower planning, program development, standards
  • Bureau of Higher Education: program development, Board of Higher Education assistance, institutional support
  • Bureau of Non-Formal Education: provides education for out-of-school citizens, skills acquisition, access expansion
  • Bureau of Physical Education and School Sports: develops sports talents, promotes fitness and cultural integration

Attached Agencies

  • National Museum
  • National Library
  • National Historical Institute
  • Institute of Philippine Languages (renamed from Institute of National Language)

Supervised and Controlled Agencies

  • Health and Nutrition Center
  • National Education Testing and Research Center (renamed from National Education Testing Center)

Reorganization and Integration of Other Agencies

  • Child and Youth Research Center integrated into National Education Testing Center
  • Population Center integrated into Bureaus of Elementary and Secondary Education
  • Foreign Students and Programs Assistance Unit integrated into Bureau of Higher Education
  • National Scholarship and Student Loan Center integrated into Bureau of Higher Education

Continued Attachment of Various Councils and Organizations

  • Includes instructional, educational development, youth, social action, teachers’ boards, and scouting organizations

Governance of State Colleges and Universities

  • Minister, as chair of boards of trustees, governs state colleges and universities directly or via Deputy Ministers

Board of Higher Education

  • Reactivated to coordinate public and private post-secondary education policies and support frameworks

Regional Offices

  • Established in each administrative region
  • Headed by Regional Director, assisted by Assistant Director
  • Functions:
    • Implement Ministry policies and programs
    • Coordinate with other government agencies and local government units
    • Deliver efficient services

Transition and Staffing

  • Current Ministry officers and employees continue in hold-over capacity
  • New organizational structure and positions to be approved within 120 days
  • Non-included incumbents deemed separated with retirement or separation benefits
  • Prohibition on court injunctions against separation/replacement under this EO

Performance Evaluation

  • Ministry must establish a system for periodic and objective performance evaluation
  • Annual submission of performance reports to the President

Legal and Procedural Safeguards

  • Notice or consent required for organizational changes affecting third-party rights
  • Name changes shall occur upon adoption of a presidential form of government (Minister to Secretary, etc.)
  • No organizational change valid without President’s prior approval

Funding and Implementation

  • Funds for reorganization taken from Ministry’s available funds
  • Minister empowered to issue necessary implementing rules and regulations

Miscellaneous Provisions

  • Severability clause ensures constitutionality of remaining provisions if parts are invalidated
  • Repealing clause rescinds inconsistent laws, ordinances, rules, or issuances
  • Immediate effectivity upon approval by the President

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