To: Undersecretaries and Assistant Secretaries
Bureau, Regional, Center and Service Directors
School Division and Vocational Superintendents
School Principals and Others Concerned

1. In view of the increased enrolment in our public schools and the continuing lack of basic textbooks to achieve the desired 1:1 student to textbook ratio, I am hereby reiterating the policy that priority should be given to the procurement of textbooks to improve the quality of education. Strict compliance with the provisions of DECS Order No. 35 s. 1995 on this matter is likewise reiterated.
2. It is hereby directed that authority should be secured from this Office before purchases of supplementary and reference materials are undertaken. In submitting such request, the requesting official shall present the textbook situation in his division or region and justify the request given the priority given to textbooks.
   For the strict compliance of all concerned.

Reference: DECS Order: (No. 35, s. 1995)
Allotment: 1-2-3—(M.O. 1-87)

To be indicated in the Perpetual Index under the following subjects:
FUNDS
POLICY
PROCUREMENT
TEXTBOOKS

DO_s1996_067