MALACAÑANG
M a n i l aPRESIDENTIAL DECREE No. 687 April 22, 1975
FURTHER AMENDING THE TEXTBOOK LAW, ACT 2957 AS AMENDED, PROVIDING THE GUIDELINES IN THE SELECTION, APPROVAL, PRICING AND DISTRIBUTION OF SUITABLE TEXTBOOKS FOR USE IN PUBLIC ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
WHEREAS, the Board of Textbooks performs the vital function of selection and approval of textbooks for use in all public elementary and secondary schools, including the approval of textbooks used in private elementary and secondary schools;
WHEREAS, in order to perform this function effectively and properly, it is necessary that the Board be composed of persons with the highest competence, dedication and integrity, with authority to avail of such technical assistance as may be necessary to insure proper evaluation of manuscripts and the selection and adoption of quality textbooks for use in the public schools;
WHEREAS, the objective of selection and production of quality textbooks can be achieved by allowing open and free competition in the submission of manuscripts by qualified writers and the production...
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Presidential Decrees
Further Amending The Textbook Law, Act 2957 As Amended, Providing The Guidelines In The Selection, Approval, Pricing And Distribution Of Suitable Textbooks For Use In Public Elementary And
Presidential Decree No. 687
Summary of Presidential Decree No. 687
Renaming and Restructuring of the Textbook Board
- The Board of Textbooks is renamed as the Textbook Board. (Section 1)
- The Textbook Board will have 7 members: a Chairman, 4 members appointed by the President (one representing cultural minorities), the Director of Elementary Education, and the Director of Secondary Education. (Section 1)
- Board members must be Filipino citizens with at least a master's degree or equivalent experience, serving 3-year terms. (Section 1)
- The Board will have a Secretariat. (Section 2)
Manuscript Evaluation and Textbook Selection
- The Board can engage qualified personnel from public or private sectors to appraise and evaluate submitted manuscripts, with honoraria paid per title. (Section 3)
- The Board will determine guidelines for manuscript evaluation, selection criteria, and continuing evaluation of approved textbooks. (Section 4)
- The Board can automatically adopt textbooks prepared by government-authorized agencies, but printing must be outsourced to qualified publishers under Board guidelines. (Section 5)
Textbook Pricing and Distribution
- A Price Committee will determine reasonable prices for government procurement of approved textbooks, considering production costs and reasonable profit for publishers. (Section 6)
- The Board will determine markup percentages over production costs to ensure reasonable profit and minimum procurement cost. (Section 6)
- The Board will undertake studies on textbook situation, production at minimum cost, and allocation/distribution policies aligned with the Department of Education and Culture's procurement program. (Section 4)
Ethical Guidelines and Term Limits
- Board members cannot have direct or indirect interests in textbook authorship, editing, or publishing during their tenure. (Section 7)
- Approved textbooks will be used for at least 6 years, unless exceptional cases determined by the Board. (Section 8)
- The Board can prohibit use of unapproved textbooks in private schools if found unsuitable or against government policies. (Section 8)
- The Board will encourage writing of textbooks by Filipino authors that promote nationalism, respect for institutions, and cultural heritage. (Section 9)
Administrative Provisions
- The Textbook Board will be under the Office of the Secretary of Education and Culture for administrative purposes. (Section 10)
- The Board Chairman can obtain technical assistance from government personnel, with compensation determined by the Board. (Section 10)
- Board members will receive a meeting allowance of ₱100 per meeting, up to ₱400 per month, plus reimbursement for expenses. (Section 11)
- An annual budget of ₱100,000 will be appropriated to carry out the provisions of this Decree. (Section 12)
Renaming and Restructuring of the Textbook Board
- The Board of Textbooks is renamed as the Textbook Board. (Section 1)
- The Textbook Board will have 7 members: a Chairman, 4 members appointed by the President (one representing cultural minorities), the Director of Elementary Education, and the Director of Secondary Education. (Section 1)
- Board members must be Filipino citizens with at least a master's degree or equivalent experience, serving 3-year terms. (Section 1)
- The Board will have a Secretariat. (Section 2)
Manuscript Evaluation and Textbook Selection
- The Board can engage qualified personnel from public or private sectors to appraise and evaluate submitted manuscripts, with honoraria paid per title. (Section 3)
- The Board will determine guidelines for manuscript evaluation, selection criteria, and continuing evaluation of approved textbooks. (Section 4)
- The Board can automatically adopt textbooks prepared by government-authorized agencies, but printing must be outsourced to qualified publishers under Board guidelines. (Section 5)
Textbook Pricing and Distribution
- A Price Committee will determine reasonable prices for government procurement of approved textbooks, considering production costs and reasonable profit for publishers. (Section 6)
- The Board will determine markup percentages over production costs to ensure reasonable profit and minimum procurement cost. (Section 6)
- The Board will undertake studies on textbook situation, production at minimum cost, and allocation/distribution policies aligned with the Department of Education and Culture's procurement program. (Section 4)
Ethical Guidelines and Term Limits
- Board members cannot have direct or indirect interests in textbook authorship, editing, or publishing during their tenure. (Section 7)
- Approved textbooks will be used for at least 6 years, unless exceptional cases determined by the Board. (Section 8)
- The Board can prohibit use of unapproved textbooks in private schools if found unsuitable or against government policies. (Section 8)
- The Board will encourage writing of textbooks by Filipino authors that promote nationalism, respect for institutions, and cultural heritage. (Section 9)
Administrative Provisions
- The Textbook Board will be under the Office of the Secretary of Education and Culture for administrative purposes. (Section 10)
- The Board Chairman can obtain technical assistance from government personnel, with compensation determined by the Board. (Section 10)
- Board members will receive a meeting allowance of ₱100 per meeting, up to ₱400 per month, plus reimbursement for expenses. (Section 11)
- An annual budget of ₱100,000 will be appropriated to carry out the provisions of this Decree. (Section 12)