MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 97 - DIRECTING THE GOVERNMENT AGENCIES CONCERNED TO EXTEND MAXIMUM SUPPORT AND ASSISTANCE TO THE NATIONAL EDUCATIONAL TESTING AND RESEARCH CENTER (NETRC) OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, CULTURE AND SPORTS (DECS) IN THE CONDUCT OF TESTS OF NATIONAL COVERAGE

The National Educational Testing and Research Center (NETRC) under the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS) administers its national tests every year, i.e., the National Elementary Assessment Test (NEAT), the National Secondary Assessment Test (NSAT) and the Philippine Educational Placement Test (PEPT), throughout the Philippines and other identified countries on certain dates usually set by the Secretary of Education, Culture and Sports. To enable the National Education Testing and Research Center to perform its task effectively and efficiently, it is hereby directed:

1. The Department of National Defense (DND), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA), the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) extend maximum, support and assistance to ensure full security and smooth administration of the examinations;

2. The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Philippine Airlines (PAL), the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), the National Food Authority (NFA), and the Philippine Postal Corporation (PPC) share such travel facilities as may be deemed necessary for the abovementioned purpose; and

3. The Malacañang Press Center (MPC), the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the National Computer Center (NCC) extend maximum support and assistance relative to the dissemination of the essential information pertaining to the holding of the examinations throughout the country and other identified countries abroad and the computerized processing of the test papers and results, respectively.  

Since 19.07.98.