EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 483, December 27, 2005

ESTABLISHING THE UNESCO LIFELONG LEARNING CENTER FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PHILIPPINES, DESIGNATING THE OPERATION BROTHERHOOD MONTESSORI CENTER, INC. THEREFORE

WHEREAS, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, in Article 26, states the right of everyone to education; that education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms;

WHEREAS, the 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines mandates, in Article XIV, Section VIII, the protection and promotion of the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels, and the implementation of appropriate measures to make such education accessible to all;

WHEREAS, the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) National Commission is mandated to protect and popularize the mission of Education For All (EFA) by serving as a resource and training base for inter-country programs towards the education for all goals;

WHEREAS, the United Nations Millennium Development Goals aim at eliminating gender disparity in education not later than 2015;

WHEREAS, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the Department of Education (DepEd) are mandated to provide relevant, accessible, quality and efficient education and training in support of the development of Filipino manpower responsive to and in accordance with Philippine development goals and priorities;

WHEREAS, the UNESCO National Commission recognizes the importance of creating strategic mechanisms that respond to the need to sustain quality education for all;

WHEREAS, the UNESCO National Commission shall lead promotional strategies for UNESCO member states to create greater awareness on the role of lifelong learning for the Asia Pacific work force;

WHEREAS, the Operation Brotherhood Montessori Center, Inc. has a "Pagsasarili Literacy Manual" that provides the most practical guide for economic self-sufficiency of families and promotes the Lifelong Learning Program from early childhood education to adult learning and beyond, spurring self-sufficiency and community development.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby establish the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Lifelong Learning Center for Sustainable Development in the Philippines, and designate the Operation Brotherhood Montessori Center, Inc. to serve as the national laboratory of the Department of Education (DepEd), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and Commission on Higher Education (CHED) in addressing the life skills educational requirements toward building a knowledge society. In addition, the Center shall open its doors to the Asia Pacific Region for sharing of facilities, experiences and technical assistance.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Republic of the Philippines to be affixed.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 27th day of December, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Five.

(SGD.) GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

(SGD.) EDUARDO R. ERMITA

Executive Secretary