CANTEEN

MANAGEMENT
BY:
LALAINE G. BANEZ
 DO 8, S. 2007 – REVISED
IMPLEMENTING GUIDELINES ON THE
OPERATION AND MANAGEMENT OF
SCHOOL CANTEENS IN PUBLIC
ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY
SCHOOLS
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.
PURPOSE
 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.
COVERAGE

These guidelines shall apply to school

canteens, as hereinafter defined,
operating in public elementary and
secondary schools of the Department of
Education.
 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.
 DEFINITION OF TERMS

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.
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.
POLICY STATEMENTS
 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.
POLICY STATEMENTS
 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.
POLICY STATEMENTS
 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.
PROCEDURAL GUIDELINES

5.1 All school canteens are required to secure the following
permits/clearances:
 Sanitation Clearance/Permit from the local Health Department
 Health Permit of canteen personnel/staff from the city/municipal health
office
 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 Accounting of Funds

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:
 Availability of potable drinking water and hand washing
facilities;
 Well-maintained, clean, well-ventilated and pest-free
environment;
 Availability of food covers and containers for safekeeping;
 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.
 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.
 SPECIFIC GUIDELINES FOR SCHOOL-
MANAGED CANTEENS
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:
6.5 The net income derived from the
operation of the canteen shall be utilized
for, but not limited to the following:
 Supplementary feeding program for undernourished pupils/students 35%
 School clinic fund 5%
 Faculty and student development fund 15%
 H.E. instructional fund 10%
 School operations fund 25%
 Revolving capital 10%
 TOTAL 100%
 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.
 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:
 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.
 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.
 It has been in existence for at least two (2) years at the time that it signified interest to
manage the school canteen.
 It has the necessary equipment/utensils, facilities, furniture and other supplies such as
forms and stationery that will be used in canteen operations.
 It will ensure the complete and continuous training for canteen personnel/staff on
handling of food and food safety.
 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.
 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:
 Copy of its registration with the CDA;
 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;
 Certificate of good standing issued by the CDA;
 Resolution by the General Membership/Assembly signifying willingness, intention and readiness to operate
and manage the school canteen, including the canteen development plan;
 Copy of the approved memorandum of agreement between the cooperative and the school
head/principal;
 List of full-time management officers and their respective designations and salaries;
 Bio-data sheets, statement of assets and liabilities, income tax returns, and statement of income and
expenses of directors/officers;
 Chart of organization (includes names of officers, functions and responsibilities, and the designations of
positions);
 Copy of the bonds of accountable officers/employees; and
 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 Renewal of Existing Memorandum of
Agreement (MOA)
 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:
 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.
 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.
The share of the school shall be
utilized as follows:
 Supplementary feeding program for undernourished pupils/students 35%
 School clinic fund 5%
 Faculty and student development fund 15%
 H.E. instructional fund 10%
 School operations fund35%
 TOTAL 100%
 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.
 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.
 SPECIFIC GUIDELINES FOR LABORATORY
CANTEENS
 8.5 Income derived from the laboratory canteen shall be utilized as follows:

Supplementary feeding program for undernourished pupils/students 40%

Student development fund (laboratory subsidy, skills training, contests) 30%
H.E. instructional fund 30%
TOTAL 100%
 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
 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.
 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.
 Selling of cigarettes and/or intoxicating beverages to students and/or condoning the use
thereof within the school canteen premises.
 Failure to secure the necessary permits including annual health and sanitation permits as
above-mentioned and to have them posted in the mentioned places.
 Failure to report and account for donations and incentives received from private
suppliers of food items and beverages.
 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.
 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).
 Compelling a pupil/student to perform canteen related tasks that are detrimental to his/her welfare
 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.
 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.
 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.
 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.
 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
 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.
 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.
 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
 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.
 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.
 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.
 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.
 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.