DO 8, S.

2007 – REVISED IMPLEMENTING GUIDELINES ON THE

OPERATION AND MANAGEMENT OF SCHOOL CANTEENS IN PUBLIC
ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS

February 6, 2007
DO 8, s. 2007
Revised Implementing Guidelines on the Operation and Management of School
Canteens in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools

To: Undersecretaries
Assistant Secretaries
Bureau Directors
Regional Directors
Directors of Services/Centers and Heads of Units
Schools Division/City Superintendents
Heads, Public Elementary and Secondary Schools

1. PURPOSE
These guidelines are hereby issued in order to rationalize the operation and
management of school canteens in the public school system and to ensure that:
1.1 The school canteen shall help eliminate malnutrition among pupils/students.
1.2 The school canteen shall serve as a venue for the development of desirable
eating habits of pupils/students.
1.3 The school canteen shall serve as a laboratory for Home Economics, retail
trade and in the incidental teaching of health and nutrition. It shall provide hands-
on training for students on planning, purchasing, handling and storage,
preparation, serving and sale of safe and nutritious meals.
1.4 The school canteen guidelines shall serve as a mechanism to support the
Department’s response to the mandate of Article 2 of Republic Act No. 6938 to
create an atmosphere that is conducive to the growth and development of
cooperatives.
1.5 Service should be the main consideration for operating a school canteen.
Profit shall only be secondary since the clientele are pupils/students who are
dependent only on their meager allowance from their parents.
1.6 Reporting and accounting of the proceeds from the operation of a school
canteen shall be made by the parties concerned to emphasize transparency and
accountability.
2. COVERAGE
These guidelines shall apply to school canteens, as hereinafter defined,
 operating in public elementary and secondary schools of the Department of
Education.
3. DEFINITION OF TERMS
As herein used, the following terms shall be understood to mean:
3.1 School Canteen – refers to one of the ancillary services in the school system
that sells food items to the pupils/students and serves as a support mechanism in
the effort to eliminate malnutrition concerns of the school. It can be used as a
laboratory canteen on food planning, preparation, serving, storage and selling. A
school canteen can either be school- managed or teachers’ cooperative-
managed.
3.2 School-Managed Canteen – refers to a school canteen that is operated and
managed by the school under the general supervision of the school
head/principal.
3.3 Teachers’ Cooperative Managed Canteen – refers to a school canteen that is
operated and managed by a duly registered teachers’ cooperative.
3.4 Laboratory Canteen – refers to the canteen operated and managed by
secondary students as part of their H.E. classes. It can make use of the facilities
of the school-managed canteen or the teachers’ cooperative- managed canteen
in the absence of a separate room that they can use.
3.5 Canteen Teacher – refers to an H.E. teacher who has been designated to
operate, manage and supervise the school-managed canteen. He/She also
supervises the students doing practicum activities in the canteen.
3.6 Administrative Expenses – refers to general expenses of business operation
such as salaries, supplies, water and electric bills, insurance, etc.
3.7 Cost of Goods Sold – is equal to the inventory at the beginning of the year,
adding the cost of goods manufactured or purchased during the year, minus the
inventory at the end of the year.
3.8 Selling Expense – refers to expenses of promoting, selling and distributing
products which may include such items as advertising, commissions, delivery
expenses, travel expenses and entertainment.
3.9 Gross Margin – refers to the difference between gross sales and cost of
goods sold including cost of freight and production directly related to the
preparation of food items.
4. POLICY STATEMENTS
4.1 School canteens shall be of two types: (1) School-Managed Canteen; (2)
Teachers’ Cooperative-Managed Canteen. Both shall adhere to professional
management and sound business practices as well as to safety and security
measures.
4.2 Management of School Canteens in Elementary Schools
4.2.1 Elementary Schools in the rural areas with 500 pupils or less and those in
urban areas with 1,000 pupils or less shall have only one canteen to be operated
and managed by the school under the general supervision of the school
head/principal.
4.2.2 Where the enrolment size in rural elementary schools is more than five
hundred (500) pupils and in urban elementary schools, more than one thousand
(1,000) pupils, the existing duly registered teachers’ cooperative that complies
 with the Criteria for Qualification herein set forth, shall manage and operate the
school canteen. When there is no duly registered teachers’ cooperative that is
interested or qualified to operate and manage the canteen, the school shall
operate and manage the same.
4.3 Management of School Canteens In Secondary Schools
4.3.1 Regardless of enrolment size, there shall be a laboratory canteen, as
herein defined, in all secondary schools. When the student population is less
than one thousand five hundred (1,500), the laboratory canteen shall also be the
school managed canteen.
4.3.2 In addition to the laboratory canteen in secondary schools where the
student population is more than one thousand five hundred (1,500), the existing
duly registered and interested teachers’ cooperative in the school that complies
with the Criteria for Qualification set forth shall be allowed to operate and
manage another school canteen.
4.3.3 For special schools with an enrolment size of more than five hundred (500)
students, the existing duly registered and interested teachers’ cooperative in the
school that complies with the Criteria for Qualification set forth shall be allowed to
operate and manage another school canteen in addition to the laboratory
canteen.
4.4 Only nutrient-rich foods such as root crops, noodles, rice and corn products
in native preparation, fruits and vegetables in season, and fortified food products
labeled rich in protein, energy, vitamins and minerals shall be sold in the school
canteen. Beverages shall include milk, shakes and juices prepared from fruits
and vegetables in season.
4.5 The sale of carbonated drinks, sugar-based synthetic or artificially flavored
juices, junk foods and any food product that may be detrimental to the child’s
health and that do not bear the Sangkap Pinoy seal and/or did not pass BFAD
approval is prohibited.
4.6 Iodized salt shall be used, in controlled quantity, in the preparation of cooked
foods to ensure that the iodine requirement of the clientele shall be met and to
eliminate iodine deficiency disorders. The use of monosodium glutamate (vetsin)
shall be regulated.
4.7 A reasonable mark-up price for all merchandise in the canteen shall be
allowed, provided that the selling retail price does not exceed the prevailing
prices in the locality.
4.8 Sub-leasing the whole or part of the school canteen premises or
sub¬contracting the operation of the school canteen to concessionaires is
prohibited.
4.9 Vendors shall not be allowed to bring in food items inside the school
canteen/premises. Teachers and school personnel are likewise prohibited from
selling food items within the school premises, except through the school canteen
and unless authorized and covered by a written agreement with the school
head/principal and/or the teachers’ cooperative.
5. PROCEDURAL GUIDELINES
5.1 All school canteens are required to secure the following permits/clearances:
1. Sanitation Clearance/Permit from the local Health Department
 2. Health Permit of canteen personnel/staff from the city/municipal health
office
3. Authority from the school head/principal to Operate and Manage the
School Canteen (for teachers’ cooperatives only)

Clearances/Permit shall be permanently displayed in a conspicuous place in the

school canteen. They shall remain valid for the duration of the school year.
5.2 All canteen personnel/staff are required to wear clean and proper attire (white
shirt/polo/blouse, colored pants/skirt, hairnet, apron, appropriate footwear) at all
times. They shall also wear their identification cards with photo when inside the
premises of the canteen.
5.3 Reportorial Requirements
5.3.1. All entities operating and managing a school canteen, including the
laboratory canteen, shall regularly prepare the following reportorial requirements
to be submitted to the DepEd and/or CDA, whichever is applicable:

5.3.2 The school-managed canteen shall prepare its financial statements using
the pro-forma copies of the monthly statement of operations and financial
statements which are hereto attached as Annexes “B” and “C”, respectively.
Teachers’ cooperatives managing school canteens shall follow the Standard
Chart of Accounts for Consumers’ Cooperatives and Those with Canteen And/Or
Catering Services prescribed by the Cooperative Development Authority, which
is hereto attached as Annex “D”.
5.3.3 The school head/principal shall also post on the school’s bulletin board a
statement of receipts and disbursements, indicating the share it received from
the teachers’ cooperative managed canteen.
5.4 Accounting of Funds
5.4.1 A book of accounts and statement of sales and disbursements shall be
maintained for recording daily transactions related to the operations of the
canteen. Receipts and other similar documents shall be kept to support sales,
purchases and disbursements made. The books of accounts should be kept up-
to-date and made available for examination and inspection at any appropriate
time by the school level auditing committee or the COA representative based in
the division office.
5.4.2 For purposes of transparency and accountability, the school head/principal
shall organize a school level auditing committee to be headed by a Mathematics
department head/teacher, and Home Economics department head/teacher and
the president of the faculty club as members. The committee shall look into the
books of accounts at least once a month. The audited statement shall be posted
on the school’s bulletin board.
5.4.3 Canteen funds shall be audited by the school level auditing committee on a
quarterly basis and by the Division COA Resident Auditor or his/her authorized
representative twice a year. Audit findings shall be submitted to the Schools
Division Superintendent through the school head/principal. Audited financial
statements shall be posted on bulletin boards for the information of everybody.
5.5 Incentives received in cash or in kind from private suppliers of food items and
 beverages shall form part of the gross income of the school canteen and shall be
part of the financial statement.
5.6 Adherence to Food Safety
5.6.1 Food safety standards shall be strictly enforced and adhered to at all times
by complying with the following:

4. Availability of potable drinking water and hand washing facilities;

5. Well-maintained, clean, well-ventilated and pest-free environment;
6. Availability of food covers and containers for safekeeping;
7. Hygienic practices on food preparation, cooking display, serving and
storage.

5.7 All canteen personnel, including practicum students, shall undergo training on
proper and safe handling of food before they are allowed to work in the canteen.
5.8 No portion of the net income derived from canteen operations shall be set
aside and in any manner, in favor of the Regional, Division or District Offices.

6. SPECIFIC GUIDELINES FOR SCHOOL-MANAGED CANTEENS

6.1 The school head/principal shall issue a written designation to a Home
Economics teacher who shall be the Canteen Teacher. He/She is tasked to
supervise canteen operations for a period not exceeding three (3) hours per day
which is equivalent to four (4) EPP teaching periods. The rest of the required
number of hours in a day’s load shall be spent in actual teaching. In no case shall
he/she be totally stripped/deprived of academic teaching load.
The Canteen Teacher shall be assisted by all Home Economics Teachers on
rotation basis, the schedule of which shall be prepared by the school
head/principal or his/her authorized representative.
6.2 In addition to the Canteen Teacher and other HE teachers, the school
head/principal shall contract the services of additional qualified full-time canteen
personnel, subject to availability of funds.
6.3 Indigent pupils/students who wish to work in the canteen shall be duly and
reasonably compensated. Their employment shall only be done upon written
consent of their parents. They shall only be allowed to work in the canteen
outside their regular class schedule.
6.4 The Canteen Teacher shall be responsible in the preparation and submission
of reports, and the books of accounts and statement of sales and disbursements
required and enumerated in Procedural Guidelines
5.3.1 and 5.4.1, respectively.
6.5 The net income derived from the operation of the canteen shall be utilized for,
but not limited to the following:
m for undernourished pupils/students

nt fund
7. 6.6 Earnings and cash received from canteen operations shall be deposited daily
in the nearest government depository bank. In the absence of such government
depository bank, deposits shall be made at any nearest reputable commercial
bank. In no case shall the deposits be made in the personal account of any
school official. A school-managed canteen shall have a bank account “in trust for”
the name of the school, whereby the school head/principal and the Canteen
Teacher shall be the joint signatories.
6.7 Based on the expected income of the school canteen, the school
head/principal shall prepare an Annual Budget to be submitted to and approved
by the Schools Division Superintendent or his/her representative at the start of
every school year.
6.8 Disbursement of canteen funds shall be in accordance with the approved
budget and existing accounting and auditing rules and regulations.
6.9 Teachers and canteen personnel shall be required to secure clearance from
money and property accountabilities in relation to their involvement in the
operation and management of the school canteen before they are allowed to
retire and/or resign from government service, or transfer to other posts for
purposes of re-assignment or promotion to a higher position.
8. SPECIFIC GUIDELINES FOR TEACHERS’ COOPERATIVE- MANAGED
CANTEENS
7.1 A teachers’ cooperative shall be authorized to operate and manage a school
canteen if it satisfies the following requirements:
1. It is duly registered with the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA)
with membership composing of incumbent teaching and non-teaching staff
of the school at the time of its registration with the aforesaid agency.
2. One of its primary purposes as reflected in its Articles of Cooperation and
Constitution and By-Laws is the operation and management of a school
canteen.
3. It has been in existence for at least two (2) years at the time that it
signified interest to manage the school canteen.
4. It has the necessary equipment/utensils, facilities, furniture and other
supplies such as forms and stationery that will be used in canteen
operations.
5. It will ensure the complete and continuous training for canteen
personnel/staff on handling of food and food safety.
6. It is able to secure and present a certification from the CDA, or the
federation where it is affiliated to, of its ability to hire qualified full-time
manager and staff who are not holding civil service positions.
7. Its membership is composed of more than fifty percent (50%) of the
teachers and non-teaching personnel of the school: Provided, that
members who have retired, resigned or have been dismissed or otherwise
removed from the service, shall not be included in the determination of
compliance with the required membership.
Withdrawal of membership from the cooperative shall be made in
 accordance with the Cooperative Code of the Philippines, rules and
regulations, guidelines and issuances of the cooperative.
The withdrawal of membership by members of the cooperative shall be
made individually and in writing. Mass withdrawal of membership shall be
presumed to have been made under duress or undue pressure.
The number of members who have withdrawn membership from the
cooperative in violation of or not in accordance with existing laws,
regulations and issuances of the CDA and those whose withdrawal of
membership was made under duress or undue pressure shall not be
considered in the determination of compliance

7.2 Documents required to be submitted

At least thirty (30) days prior to the start of canteen operations, the
cooperative shall submit the following documents to the division office,
through the school head/principal, for evaluation:

8. Copy of its registration with the CDA;

9. Copy of its Amended Articles of Cooperation and Constitution and By-
Laws stating among others, its purpose in engaging in canteen and/or
catering services;
10. Certificate of good standing issued by the CDA;
11. Resolution by the General Membership/Assembly signifying willingness,
intention and readiness to operate and manage the school canteen,
including the canteen development plan;
12. Copy of the approved memorandum of agreement between the
cooperative and the school head/principal;
13. List of full-time management officers and their respective designations and
salaries;
14. Bio-data sheets, statement of assets and liabilities, income tax returns,
and statement of income and expenses of directors/officers;
15. Chart of organization (includes names of officers, functions and
responsibilities, and the designations of positions);
16. Copy of the bonds of accountable officers/employees; and
17. Certification by the chairman of the board authorizing the canteen
manager to coordinate with the H.E. canteen teacher on the schedule of
practicum activities in the teachers’ cooperative- managed canteen.

7.3 Within thirty (30) days upon receipt of the required documents, the schools
head/principal shall issue to the applicant teachers’ cooperative the “Authority to
Operate and Manage the School Canteen” if the documents submitted are
complete. The teachers’ cooperative shall display at its business office a sign
with the following words: AUTHORIZED BY DepED TO MANAGE AND
OPERATE THE SCHOOL CANTEEN. If the documents are found inadequate,
the same shall be returned within seventy two (72) hours.
7.4 Memorandum of Agreement
7.4.1 As a rule, a memorandum of agreement shall be entered into by and
between the school head/principal and the chairperson of the teachers’
cooperative as a required document to be submitted to the Schools Division
Superintendent. The MOA shall have a term of three (3) years and may be
renewed every three (3) years thereafter.
7.4.2 Upon the termination of the MOA and when the teachers’ cooperative
ceases to operate the school canteen, the cooperative shall retain ownership of
all properties it acquired for the operation thereof, except those properties or
improvements which cannot be removed from the premises of the canteen
without causing substantial damage thereto. Any arrangements pertaining to
other facilities/equipment in the school canteen shall be subject to the individual
MOA between the cooperative and the school head/principal.
7.5 Approval of Memorandum of Agreement (MOA)
7.5.1 The school head/principal and chairperson of the teachers’ cooperative
shall have thirty (30) days upon receipt thereof within which to sign and approve
the Memorandum of Agreement.
7.5.2 In view of this, upon receipt of the proposed MOA by the school
head/principal, he/she shall within ten (10) days make a written reply to the
chairperson of the teachers’ cooperative indicating therein his/her comment,
objection, counter-proposal on the terms and conditions stipulated in the MOA.
Thereafter, within the aforesaid period of thirty (30) days, the school
head/principal and the chairperson of the teachers’ cooperative shall meet and
mutually agree on the terms and conditions of the MOA.
7.5.3 Failure on the part of the school head/principal to notify the teachers’
cooperative concerned of his/her comments, objections, and counter-proposal
within the aforesaid period of ten (10) days, shall be construed to mean that
he/she has fully agreed with the terms and conditions stipulated therein. Hence,
there will be no reason for the school head/principal not to approve and sign the
MOA.
7.5.4 After the lapse of the thirty (30) day period and no MOA has been executed
by the parties concerned due to refusal of the school head/principal to sign it
without valid reason, the party aggrieved by such refusal may bring the matter by
way of an appeal to the Division/City Superintendent concerned, who in turn shall
act on it within a period of fifteen (15) days from receipt thereof. The decision or
resolution of the Division/City Superintendent shall be appealable to the Regional
Director within fifteen (15) days from receipt thereof.
7.6 Renewal of Existing Memorandum of Agreement (MOA)
7.6.1 The school head/principal and chairperson of the teachers’ cooperative
shall have thirty (30) days upon receipt of the proposal to renew the existing
MOA, execute a new Memorandum of Agreement covering the operation and
management of the school canteen by the teachers’ cooperative for another
term.
7.6.2 In order not to interrupt the operation of the school canteen managed by
the teachers’ cooperative, a written notice to renew and to continue the operation
and management of the school canteen shall be submitted to the school
head/principal at least thirty (30) days before the expiration of the original and/or
existing MOA together with the draft new MOA. Upon receipt thereof, the school
head/principal, within ten (10) days, shall make a written reply to the chairperson
of the teachers’ cooperative indicating therein his/her comment, objections and/or
counter-proposal on the terms and conditions stipulated in the draft new MOA.
Thereafter, within the aforesaid period of thirty (30) days, the school
head/principal and the chairperson of the teachers’ cooperative shall meet and
mutually agree on the terms and conditions of the new MOA and amendments, if
there are any.
7.6.3 Failure on the part of the school head/principal to notify the teachers’
cooperative concerned of his/her comment, objection and/or counter-proposal
within the aforesaid period of ten (10) days, shall be construed to mean that
he/she has fully agreed with the terms and conditions stipulated therein.
7.6.4 After the lapse of the thirty (30) day period and no renewal of the MOA has
been made by the parties concerned due to refusal of the school head/principal
to sign it without valid reason, the party aggrieved by such refusal may bring the
matter by way of an appeal to the Division/City Superintendent concerned, who
in turn shall act on it within a period of fifteen (15) days from receipt thereof. The
decision or resolution of the Division/City Superintendent shall be appealable to
the Regional Director within fifteen (15) days from receipt thereof.
7.7 A copy of the pro-forma Memorandum of Agreement is hereto attached as
Annex “A” for reference.
7.8 Use of Canteen Facilities
7.8.1 The teachers’ cooperative may be allowed to use the existing canteen
facilities rent-free for its operations. However, the cost of repair, maintenance
and expansion of the said facilities shall be borne by the teachers’ cooperative.
Separate water and light meters shall be installed in the canteen and bills
covering water and electricity consumed in the aforesaid school canteen shall be
borne by them. The teachers’ cooperative shall be given a grace period of three
months from the start of its canteen operations to effect the installation of
separate water and light meters.
7.8.2 The teachers’ cooperative may allocate a small space within its school
canteen premises, which shall not be more than one-eighth (1/8) of the floor area
and must be enclosed, where consumer goods/items may be sold to its members
or where the cooperative may undertake other business ventures. Such
consumers’ store and other business ventures of the teachers’ cooperative within
the canteen or school premises are not covered under these guidelines; instead,
these shall be covered by a separate agreement between the school
head/principal and the chairperson of the teachers’ cooperative.
7.8.3 The school shall be free from damages and any liability that may arise from
the teachers’ cooperative’s operation of the school canteen and use of its
facilities.
7.9 The teachers’ cooperative shall not allow any of its officers and members to
use his/her/their official time in attending to and supervising the activities,
operations and management of the school canteen.
7.10 Sharing of Proceeds
The sharing of the gross margin derived from the teachers’ cooperative-
managed canteen shall be as follows:
 18. Eighty percent (80%) for the teachers’ cooperative and twenty percent
(20%) for the school. However, the school head/principal and teachers’
cooperative may agree on other percentage of sharing depending on the
peculiar situation of the school: Provided that the share of the school shall
not be less than twenty percent (20%). Remittance of the school share
shall be due every fifth day of the month.
19. The school head/principal or his/her duly authorized representative shall
receive the school share from the teachers’ cooperative and issue the
corresponding acknowledgment receipt duly signed by the school
head/principal or his/her duly authorized representative. Any authorized
disbursement made chargeable against such share shall be recorded,
accounted for and supported by receipts.
20. The share of the school shall be utilized as follows:
m for undernourished pupils/students

ent fund

7.11 All resolutions, decisions and actions taken by the Board of Directors of the
teachers’ cooperative relative to finances, privileges and benefits accruing to the
membership of the Board shall be reported to the General Assembly during its
annual meeting for confirmation.
7.12 Designation of Coordinator
7.12.1 The teachers’ cooperative shall assign its canteen manager to coordinate
with the H.E. Department on the schedule of practicum activities in the teachers’
cooperative-managed canteen. Food items produced by the H.E. classes during
their practicum may be sold in the canteen and any proceeds generated from it
shall form part of the revolving fund created for this purpose.

9. SPECIFIC GUIDELINES FOR LABORATORY CANTEENS

8.1 Every secondary school, regardless of its enrollment size, shall have a
laboratory canteen where students shall be trained on food planning, preparation,
retail trade, selling and safety as part of their H.E. classes. It shall be supervised
by the designated H.E. canteen teacher.
8.2 The designated H.E. canteen teacher shall prepare the schedule of service of
the practicum students. Such schedule shall be approved by the H.E.
Department Head or the school head/principal.
8.3 The designated H.E. canteen teacher shall ensure the full participation of the
pupils/students in the planning, purchasing, handling, storage, preparation,
serving and sale of safe and nutritious foods/meals.
8.4 The schedule of the practicum students shall be posted on a bulletin board
within the school canteen premises. No pupil/student shall serve in the canteen
beyond his/her practicum schedule.
8.5 Income derived from the laboratory canteen shall be utilized as follows:
m for undernourished pupils/students
ratory subsidy, skills training, contests)

10. GROUNDS FOR TERMINATION OF OPERATION OF THE SCHOOL

CANTEEN
9.1 Any deviation from the guidelines particularly the operational practices that
prove detrimental and prejudicial to the welfare of the pupils/students, teachers
and the school in general that may be committed by the school or the teachers’
cooperative shall be a ground for termination of the operation of the school
canteen. Any violation of the terms stipulated in the MOA shall be sufficient
ground for the termination of the MOA and the suspension of the privilege of the
teachers’ cooperative to manage and operate the school canteen.
9.2 For purposes of these guidelines, the following acts are considered
detrimental and prejudicial to the students and pupils
1. Failure and/or neglect to submit financial report – The failure to submit the
monthly financial report within thirty (30) days after the end of each regular
monthly operation or failure to submit the audited annual financial report
within sixty (60) days after the end of each fiscal year.
2. Sub-leasing the whole or part of the school canteen premises – All entities
operating school canteens shall not sub-lease to any third party the whole
or part of the school canteen premises. Neither shall private
concessionaires be allowed to be involved in the operations of the school
canteen.
3. Selling of cigarettes and/or intoxicating beverages to students and/or
condoning the use thereof within the school canteen premises.
4. Failure to secure the necessary permits including annual health and
sanitation permits as above-mentioned and to have them posted in the
mentioned places.
5. Failure to report and account for donations and incentives received from
private suppliers of food items and beverages.
6. Use or disbursement of canteen funds contrary to the provisions of these
rules and guidelines which includes devoting and re-aligning said funds to
any other endeavor not included in these guidelines.
7. Compelling the pupils/students to buy or consume all food items from the
canteen and prohibiting them to bring their own “baon” or food to school;
in the same manner, compelling the teachers to dispose of all the food
items in the canteen tray under the supervised recess (for elementary
schools).
8. Compelling a pupil/student to perform canteen related tasks that are
detrimental to his/her welfare
9. Failure to deposit the proceeds of the canteen in the account that is “in
trust for” the school. Similarly, depositing the proceeds of the canteen in
the name of a person not mentioned in these guidelines or into private or
personal accounts, including those in the name of the school
head/principal or teacher-in-charge.
 10. Failure to present upon request of the proper authorities, such as the
school head/principal, the school level auditing committee, and the
Commission on Audit, the financial documents pertaining to the operations
of the school canteen.
11. The use of the canteen premises for any other endeavor not included or
sanctioned by these guidelines including, but’ not limited to, the use of the
canteen as warehouse or stockroom of prohibited items and/or food and
beverage expressly prohibited in these guidelines including all other
merchandise which are not for the use of the school canteen and which do
not belong to the school.
12. All other violations of the terms and conditions of the Memorandum of
Agreement or any of the provision of these guidelines which are
analogous to the foregoing.
11. MONITORING AND ENFORCEMENT
10.1 Monitoring teams in the regional and division offices shall be created to
ensure adherence to standards on quality, handling, and serving of food, and
canteen equipment/facilities in the school canteens and that food safety
standards and hygienic practices are strictly observed and implemented. It shall
also monitor adherence to the guidelines on the operation of school canteens
which shall be integrated in its monitoring of health and nutrition program and
projects at the division level. The monitoring team shall be composed of the
following:
 Regional Office
 Medical Officer V / Dentist III o ES II (Science and Health / Nutrition
/ HE / THE) o Nutritionist-Dietitian
 Division Office
 Medical Officer IV / Dentist II
 ES I (Science and Health / Nutrition / HE / THE)
 Nurse-In-Charge
 Nutrition Coordinators

10.2 Grievance Mechanism

3. Complaints from parents or concerned individuals of the community

pertaining to canteen management and operations, i.e. pricing, quality of
foods, etc., shall be filed and settled with the division grievance committee
in the case of school-managed canteens; and with the school grievance
committee in the case of complaints against a teachers’ cooperative-
managed canteen. The provisions of the grievance procedure under the
DepED Rules of Procedures shall govern the conduct of the proceedings
without prejudice to the application of other pertinent rules that may be
applied suppletorily.
4. Any grievance arising from any form of dissatisfaction relative to the
operations of the canteen which does not constitute an administrative
disciplinary action shall be submitted to the appropriate grievance
committee and which shall be decided by the latter within five (5) days
 from the termination of the grievance proceedings. A copy of such
decision and report of the findings of the grievance committee shall be
furnished the parties and the school head/principal.
5. In the case of dispute involving a teachers’ cooperative-managed canteen,
any party dissatisfied with the findings of the decision of the School
Grievance Committee may elevate the same to the Division Grievance
Committee, whose decision shall be appealable to the Regional Grievance
Committee within fifteen (15) days from notice thereof.
10.3 Sanctions
1. Any violation of the foregoing guidelines in the case of the teachers’
cooperative-managed canteen shall warrant the termination of the
operations of the canteen after due notice to the parties concerned
which shall proceed after a summary hearing on the matter and
after due process.
2. For other violations not mentioned in the preceding section, which
are considered simple violations, a warning shall be issued by the
school head/principal for the first infraction and a repeat of such
violations shall warrant an investigation and shall thereafter, in the
interest of the students and the pupils and the welfare of the school,
be a ground to terminate the Memorandum of Agreement entered
into between the parties pertaining to the operations of the school
canteen.
3. In the case of school-managed canteens, any violation of these
guidelines shall warrant appropriate administrative sanctions
against the school head/principal and other canteen teachers who
are directly or indirectly involved in the operations of the school
canteen and who are classified as canteen designated teachers as
defined under these guidelines.
4. In the same manner, such violations of the school head/principal
including the canteen-designated teachers shall be dealt with
administratively after due notice and hearing.
5. In all the foregoing, such persons accountable for violations of
these guidelines shall, aside from the administrative sanctions, also
be liable both criminally and civilly, when such violations warrant.
12. EXCLUSIVITY OF JURISDICTION
11.1 The School Grievance Committee or the Division Grievance Committee, as
the case may be, shall have exclusive original jurisdiction over all complaints
and/or grievances arising from or relative to the operations of the school
canteens. Any complaint and/or grievance brought directly to the office of the
Schools Division/City Superintendent, the office of the Regional Director, or the
Office of the Secretary shall be dismissed and referred to the appropriate School
or Division Grievance Committee.
13. VENUE OF ACTION
12.1 In cases of actions arising from conflicts relative to the operations of the
school canteen brought before and cognizable by judicial bodies in case of civil
actions, the contracting parties to the Memorandum of Agreement shall be
 encouraged to agree to the venue of the action to be placed in the appropriate
courts of the city or municipality where the school sits.
14. REPEALING CLAUSE
13.1 All existing guidelines, memoranda, orders and other issuances of similar
nature which are inconsistent with this Order are hereby deemed repealed and
superseded.
15. TRANSITORY PROVISIONS
14.1 The Department maintains the policy that there is no valid contract of lease
of a school canteen to a private concessionaire as declared in DepED Order No.
95, s. 1998 which took effect on November 10, 1998. Pursuant to said policy, all
contracts of lease of school canteens to private concessionaires executed or
renewed after November 10, 1998 are hereby deemed terminated for being
contrary to law and public policy. Violations of this policy shall be dealt with
administratively.
14.2 Except those entered into in violation of DepED Orders, circulars and other
issuances, pre-existing Memorandum of Agreement on the operation of school
canteens with teachers’ cooperatives that may be disqualified under the current
guidelines shall remain effective subject to the compliance by the cooperative
with the Criteria for Qualification herein set forth within six (6) months from the
effectivity of this Order. Otherwise, the same shall be deemed terminated.
14.3 A teachers’ cooperative with a valid pre-existing Memorandum of
Agreement shall not be removed or otherwise displaced from the space where it
is currently operating the school canteen.
14.4 Pre-existing MOAs which provide for a term exceeding three (3) years are
hereby amended accordingly subject to renewal by the contracting parties to
another term of not more than three (3) years.
16. These guidelines shall take effect immediately. Wide dissemination of this
Department Order to all concerned is desired.

Ends.:
As stated Reference:
DepED Orders: Nos. 95, s. 1998 and 72, s. 1999
Allotment: 1—(D.O. 50-97)

To be indicated in the Perpetual Index under the following subjects:

CHANGE
COOPERATIVES
POLICY
RULES AND REGULATIONS
SCHOOLS

DO_s2007_008

RECENT DEPED ORDERS

  December 28, 2018 DO 053, s. 2018 – Additional Information to DepEd Order
No. 33, s. 2018 (Guidelines on the Implementation of the Joint Delivery Voucher
Program for Senior High School Technical-Vocational-Livelihood Specializations
(JDVP-TVL) for School Year 2018—2019)
 December 11, 2018 DO 052, s. 2018 – ADDITIONAL PROVISION TO DEPED
ORDER NO. 45, S. 2018 (IMPLEMENTING GUIDELINES ON THE
ALLOCATION, UTILIZATION AND MONITORING, AND EVALUATION OF
SUPPORT TO OPERATIONS FUNDS TO ALTERNATIVE LEARNING SYSTEM
AT THE REGIONAL OFFICES)
 November 29, 2018 DO 051, s. 2018 – GUIDELINES ON THE FISCAL YEAR
2018 RELEASE AND UTILIZATION OF SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS
EQUIPMENT AND TECHNICAL-VOCATIONAL LIVELIHOOD FUNDS TO THE
REGIONAL OFFICES

RECENT DEPED MEMORANDA

 February 6, 2019 DM 013, s. 2019 – 2019 Philippine Youth Games-Batang Pinoy

 February 6, 2019 DM 012, s. 2019 – Protection of the Welfare of Filipino
Teachers Participating in the United States Exchange Visitor Program
 January 31, 2019 DM 011, s. 2019 – Dissemination of Administrative Order No.
14 (Consolidating and Rationalizing the Rules on the Acquisition of Government
Motor Vehicles, Adopting a Centralized System of Procurement Therefor, and for
Other Purposes)

DO 13, S. 2017 – POLICY AND GUIDELINES ON HEALTHY FOOD AND BEVERAGE

CHOICES IN SCHOOLS AND IN DEPED OFFICES
March 14, 2017

DO 13, s. 2017

Policy and Guidelines on Healthy Food and Beverage Choices in Schools and in DepEd Offices
To: Undersecretaries
Assistant Secretaries
Bureau and Service Directors
Regional Directors
Schools Division Superintendents
Public and Private Elementary and Secondary Schools Heads
All Others Concerned

1. For the information and guidance of all concerned, the Department of Education
(DepEd) issues the enclosed Policy and Guidelines on Healthy Food and Beverage
Choices in Schools and in DepEd Offices for the promotion and development of
healthy eating habits among the youth and DepEd employees by making available
healthy, nutritious, and affordable menu choices, and for setting food standards.
2. The Policy and Guidelines aim to:
1. make available healthier food and beverage choices among the learners and DepEd
personnel and their stakeholders;
2. introduce a system of categorizing locally available foods and drinks in accordance with
geographical, cultural, and religious orientations;
3. provide guidance in evaluating and categorizing foods and drinks; and
4. provide guidance in the selling and marketing of foods and beverages in schools and
DepEd offices, including the purchasing of foods for school feeding.
3. DepEd Order No. 8, s. 2007 entitled Revised Implementing Guidelines on the Operation
and Management of School Canteens in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools
Policy Statements Nos. 4.4, 4.5, and 4.6 are modified accordingly by this issuance.
4. This Order shall take effect immediately upon publication on DepEd Website.
5. Immediate dissemination of and strict compliance with this Order is directed.
(Sgd)LEONOR MAGTOLIS BRIONES
SecretaryTo be indicated in the Perpetual Index under the following subjects:
CHANGE
EMPLOYEES
HEALTH EDUCATION
LEARNERS
POLICY
RULES AND REGULATIONS
SCHOOLS

DO_s2017_013

RECENT DEPED ORDERS

 December 28, 2018 DO 053, s. 2018 – Additional Information to DepEd Order No. 33, s.
2018 (Guidelines on the Implementation of the Joint Delivery Voucher Program for
Senior High School Technical-Vocational-Livelihood Specializations (JDVP-TVL) for
School Year 2018—2019)
 December 11, 2018 DO 052, s. 2018 – ADDITIONAL PROVISION TO DEPED ORDER
NO. 45, S. 2018 (IMPLEMENTING GUIDELINES ON THE ALLOCATION, UTILIZATION
AND MONITORING, AND EVALUATION OF SUPPORT TO OPERATIONS FUNDS TO
ALTERNATIVE LEARNING SYSTEM AT THE REGIONAL OFFICES)
  November 29, 2018 DO 051, s. 2018 – GUIDELINES ON THE FISCAL YEAR 2018
RELEASE AND UTILIZATION OF SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS EQUIPMENT AND
TECHNICAL-VOCATIONAL LIVELIHOOD FUNDS TO THE REGIONAL OFFICES

RECENT DEPED MEMORANDA

 February 6, 2019 DM 013, s. 2019 – 2019 Philippine Youth Games-Batang Pinoy

 February 6, 2019 DM 012, s. 2019 – Protection of the Welfare of Filipino Teachers
Participating in the United States Exchange Visitor Program
 January 31, 2019 DM 011, s. 2019 – Dissemination of Administrative Order No. 14
(Consolidating and Rationalizing the Rules on the Acquisition of Government Motor
Vehicles, Adopting a Centralized System of Procurement Therefor, and for Other
Purposes)