To: Bureau Directors
Regional Directors
Presidents, State Colleges and Universities
Heads of Private Engineering Schools, Colleges and Universities

1. Pursuant to the consolidated resolutions of the Zonal Consultative Conferences on the Policies and Standards for Engineering Education which called for the review of the Engineering Laboratory Requirements (ELR) manual and the imperative for an efficient and effective implementation of its guidelines, MECS Order No. 50, s. 1986 which embodies the Engineering Laboratory Requirements as contained in the manual and its rules for implementation, is hereby amended.
2. As recommended by the Technical Panel for Engineering Education (TPEE), Bureau of Higher Education, DECS, in accordance with the amendments to the ELR introduced by the seminar workshop committees on Engineering Laboratory, the Revised Engineering Laboratory Requirements, as contained in the manual, is hereby approved for implementation.
3. Implementing Guidelines
   The following guidelines shall be observed for the purpose of implementation:
   3.1 Recognized Programs
   For all recognized engineering programs and recognized I-II engineering year levels operating prior to the effectivity of this Order, the requirements shall be complied with by schools operating the same according to the following schedule:

   Deadline of Compliance	Percentage of Compliance
   May 31, 1990	80%
   May 31, 1991	100%

   The recognition and/or permits shall be withdrawn, revoked or cancelled on the basis of non-compliance with the requirements after the lapse of the prescribed grace period.
   3.1.1 80% Compliance
   The percentage compliance of 80% refers to having sufficient equipment to perform 80% of the total number of laboratory exercises per laboratory course.
   3.1.2 Computation of 80% of Exercises
   For purposes of setting the number of exercises for the 80% compliance, multiply the total number of exercises per laboratory course by 0.8. If the tenth decimal place value of the product is greater than or equal to five (5), round off to the next higher integer number. Otherwise, retain only the integer number of the product.
   3.2 Unrecognized Programs
   Unrecognized engineering programs refer to all engineering programs, the last curricular year of which is operating under permit or renewal permit prior to the effectivity of this Order. For such engineering programs, the first rules 3.1 shall also apply.
   3.3 Grant of recognition
   Recognition of engineering programs shall be granted only to schools which have fully complied (100% compliance) with all the requirements for all year levels. Upon denial of the application for recognition, a renewal permit may be issued for one academic year only.
   3.4 Grant of Permit
   For applications for permit to operate new year levels of engineering programs, the schools applying must have full compliance of the requirements for the corresponding year levels upon submission of their application. Upon denial of the application for new year levels, a renewal permit may be issued for one academic year only.
   3.5 Exceptions to Rules 3.1 and 3.2
   With the policy of maintaining quality engineering education and with the required full compliance of all recognized and unrecognized engineering programs with MECS Order No. 50, s. 1986 (Engineering and Laboratory Requirements) as of June 1, 1989, the following exceptions to rules 3.1 and 3.2 are hereby provided:
   3.5.1 Programs with less than 50% compliance
   Upon inspection and evaluation, all recognized engineering programs, recognized I-II year levels and unrecognized programs with less than 50% compliance with the ELR manual (MECS Order No. 50, s. 1986) shall not be subject to the provisions under said rules and shall be phased out.
   3.5.2 Programs Recommended for Phase-Out
   All engineering programs or year levels recommended for phase-out prior to the effectivity of this Order shall be excluded in the coverage for the extension of deadline under rules 3.1 and 3.2.
   3.6 Transitory Provision
   In accordance with the imperative of continuously upgrading the quality of engineering education institutions and programs and in view of the substantial extension of the deadline of compliance with the ELR granted to recognized and unrecognized engineering programs as defined under rules 3.1 and 3.2, it is hereby provided that for purposes of evaluation and monitoring of programs contemplated under rule 3.5.1, the ELR manual embodied in MECS Order No. 50, s. 1986 shall be used as the basis.

4. All orders and issuances inconsistent with this Order are hereby superseded, amended, or modified accordingly.
5. This Order shall take effect immediately.

Reference: MECS Order: No. 50, s. 1986
Allotment: 1-3-4—(M.O. 1-87)

To be indicated in the Perpetual Index under the following subjects:
AMENDMENT
CHANGE
COURSE OF STUDY, COLLEGIATE
CURRICULUM
RULES AND REGULATIONS
UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES

DO_s1989_076