To:  Undersecretaries
Assistant Secretaries
Bureau/Center/Regional Directors
Schools Division/City Superintendents
Principals/Heads of Schools Teachers
All Others Concerned

1.  Starting this school year, all students in public elementary and secondary schools must show evidence of having read at least one (1) book in the vernacular and one (1) book in English per year before being promoted to the next grade or year level.

2.  A book is defined as a printed publication with its own front and back covers. For purposes of this Order, a textbook is NOT considered a book. A book may range from a picture book (for Grade 1) to a novel (for Fourth Year). In schools that are wired to the Internet, books published on the Web are considered books.

3.  Evidence may consist of a written or an oral book report, submitted as part of the minimum requirements for Filipino or English subjects, as appropriate. Evidence of having read one book must be submitted or reported by the end of the Second Grading Period (or first half of the school year) and evidence of having read a second book by the end of the Fourth Grading Period (or second half of the school year).

4.  For purposes of this Order, the vernacular is defined as any one of the following:

5.  For the purpose of Order, English is defined as any one of the varieties of world  Englishes,  including Philippine English, American English, and British English.

6.  The responsibility of collecting and evaluating evidence of student compliance with this Order is hereby given to teachers in charge of language classes. On the upper levels, these are teachers handling classes in Filipino and/or English. On the lower levels, these are all teachers.

7.  The requirement of reading at least two books a year is hereby added to the English and Filipino competencies for each grade / year level as listed in the Philippine Elementary Learning Competencies and the Philippine Secondary School Learning Competencies.

8.  School librarians are instructed to make the necessary representations with the proper authorities to solicit, purchase, or otherwise obtain and ensure the availability of at least one book in the vernacular and one book in English for each student in their respective schools.

9.  A DECS Reading Committee is hereby constituted to monitor compliance with this Order, with the following members:

10.  All expenses for this Program may be charged to appropriate local funds, as well as school board funds or other pertinent funds, subject to the usual accounting and auditing requirements. Expenses of the DECS Reading Committee may be charged to 1MCS funds, subject to the usual accounting and auditing requirements

Immediate and strict compliance with this Order is enjoined.