ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 209, April 17, 1953

IMPLEMENTING THE CONSTITUTIONAL AND STATUTORY PROVISIONS ON OPTIONAL RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

In order that optional religious instruction in the public schools provided in section 5, Article XIV of the Constitution of the Philippines and in accordance with section 928 of the Revised Administrative Code may be implemented more effectively, it is hereby directed that section 55 of the revised Service Manual be so modified that, upon written petition of the parents of the students in any public school, religions instruction be given one-half hour three times a week during, before or after the school session and at such hours and rooms in the public school building as may be fixed by the Superintendent of Schools, taking into consideration the peculiar conditions obtaining in the different communities in his division, and providing the best facilities available for the proper implementation of the constitutional provision concerning religious instruction in public schools.

Done in the City of Manila, this 17th day of April, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and fifty-three, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the seventh.

(Sgd.) ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

(Sgd.) MARCIANO ROQUE

Acting Executive Secretary