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ENGLISH
Quarter 4 – Module 2:
Technical and Operational
Definitions

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Kagawaran ng Edukasyon – Rehiyong MIMAROPA
English – Grade 10
Quarter 4- Module 2: Technical and Operational Definitions
First Edition, 2020

Republic Act 8293, section 176 states that: No copyright shall subsist in any work of
the Government of the Philippines. However, prior approval of the government agency or office
wherein the work is created shall be necessary for the exploitation of such work for a profit.
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effort has been exerted to locate and seek permission to use these materials from their
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over them.

Published by the Department of Education

Regional Director: Dr. Benjamin D. Paragas, CESO IV
Assistant Regional Director: Atty. Suzette Gannaban-Medina
Chief, CLMD: Mariflor B. Musa

Development Team of the Module

Author: Maria Brenia I. Mariano

Editors: Maria Jennifer Yap- Ematong, Christian Rae G. Meca, Romel S. Madia,
John Joelson M. Mortel
Reviewers: Leopoldo M. Mago Jr., Ruben R. Dela Vega, Lucin F. Fruelda,
Ma. Mia B. Muros, Madelita Z. Lucido
Illustrators: Alexander P. Abeleda, Louie J. Cortez
Layout Artist: Christian Rae G. Meca
Management Team:

BENJAMIN D. PARAGAS, CESO V ATTY. SUZETTE T. GANNABAN-MEDINA

Director IV Chief Administrator Officer
Regional Director OIC, Office of the Assistant Regional Director

MARIFLOR B. MUSA MARIA LUISA D. SERVANDO,Ph.D., CESO VI RUFINO B. FOZ

Chief, CLMD SDS-Romblon ASDS - Romblon

MELCHOR M. FAMORCAN, Ph.D. ARDEE DC. RAMILO EDNA C. OABEL

CID Chief Chief, Finance Division EPS-English

LUCIN F. FRUELDA RUBEN R. DELA VEGA

Division EPS LRMDS Supervisor
Printed in the Philippines by DEPED MIMAROPA

Department of Education – MIMAROPA Region

Office Address: Department of Education, MIMAROPA Region – (CLMD)

Meralco Avenue corner St. Paul Road, Pasig City
Telefax: (02) 631-4070 (02) 637-3093
E-mail Address: clmd@depedro4b.gov.ph

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Introductory Message
For the facilitator:

This Self-Learning Module (SLM) focuses on giving technical and

operational definitions as one of the Most Essential Learning Competencies
(MELCs) in Grade 10 English.

This learning material is patterned on Bloom’s Taxonomy Instructional

Design where learning activities are aligned with the identified objectives and
sequenced according to their level of difficulty. More importantly, this module
considers the learner’s needs, interests, and abilities.

You need to ensure that the learner clearly understood the lesson or
concepts discussed in the module. You are also expected to guide him/her in
answering the activities and accomplishing the different learning tasks
thereby enabling him/her to master the competency.

For the learner:

This Self-Learning Module (SLM) is specially made to enhance your

attitude, knowledge, and skills vis-à-vis the identified learning competency.
Through this module, you will engage in fun and interesting learning activities
and answer varied exercises and accomplish tasks to help you gain mastery
of the target competency which will enable you to effectively use the English
language in the listening, speaking, reading, and writing process. The learning
activities are appropriately selected and carefully crafted according to your
needs, interests, and abilities.

To successfully achieve the objectives of this module, kindly do the

following:

● Read and follow the instructions in all the learning activities and
exercises very carefully;
● Answer honestly all the learning activities and exercises;
● Write your answers neatly and legibly in your subject notebook
or on a separate sheet of paper; and
● Seek guidance from your parents, guardians, or subject teacher
if you encounter difficulty in accomplishing the learning
activities.

Working on each learning activity in this module will surely enable you
to learn certain aspects of the target language in enjoyable and meaningful
ways. So take good care of this module and have fun while learning!

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 Here are the standard symbols used to represent some part of this
module. Study the different icons that will guide your way in reaching your
goals.

What I need to know - This gives you direction or goal you

need to meet.

What I know - This part serves as a review of your past

lessons.

What’s In - This starts your engagement with the activities

that will start up and motivate you.

What’s New- In this portion of the module, new lessons are

introduced.

What is it-These are activities based on the new lesson.

What’s More-Series of activities that will help you enrich and

master the lesson

What I Have Learned - This is the summary of what you

have learned in this module.

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 What I Need to Know

After going through this module, you are expected to:

o give the technical and operational definitions;
o tell what are technical and operational definitions;
o define concepts using technical and operational definitions;
o identify technical and operational definitions; and
o form technical and operational definitions.

What I Know

Read and understand the following questions, then, encircle the letter of
your answer.

1. Which of the following best defines research?

a. It is an investigation of a certain unusual phenomenon.
b. It is a collection of data from printed resources to prove a body
of knowledge.
c. It involves planning, collecting, and rereading of available
resources.
d. It is a systematic gathering of data, investigation, and study of
materials and sources to establish facts and reach new
conclusions.

2. How can we say that research is systematic?

a. It starts from simple to complex.
b. It develops over a period of time.
c. It is organized into different chapters.
d. It follows a procedure or process from identifying the problem to
assessing the results of the investigation.

3. The following statements are true EXCEPT ONE. Which is the

EXCEPTION?
a. Research applies the scientific method.
a. A researcher can use any available sources of information even
if it is not credible.

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 b. The researcher should first know the problem well before
gathering background information about it.
c. The researcher must read a variety of resources to gather
enough and relevant information about the topic.

4. ‘The researcher should rephrase information and cite the author or

sources of it to avoid plagiarism in a research paper.’ The
statement is _____________.
a. Always true
b. Always false
c. Not proven to be true or false
d. Sometimes true and sometimes false

5. Which of the following presents the background information, scope,

and focus of the research paper?
a. Abstract
b. Introduction
c. Methodology
d. Conclusion

6. Which of the following provides a review of what others have

written or researched concerning the topic?
a. Abstract
b. Introduction
c. Conclusion
d. Review of related literature

7. Which of the following is true about methodology?

a. It explains how the research was conducted.
b. It evaluates the results of the study or research.
c. It presents the information gathered through the research.
d. It presents background information, scope, and focus of the
research paper.

8. How do graphs and tables help to present information in a

research paper?
a. It minimizes grammatical errors.
b. It helps to validate data presentation.
c. It presents accurate data more simply and clearly without using
many words.
d. It needs less space as compared to the use of sentences and
paragraphs.

9. What do you call the person who responds to a survey

questionnaire and provides information for analysis
a. Interviewee c. Population
b. Respondent d. sample

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 10. Which of the following refers to the brief summary of a research
project and its findings?
a. Abstract c. Methodology
b. Introduction d. Conclusion
Let’s check your answers. What is your score?

Lesson Giving Technical

1 and Operational Definitions

You have come across some unfamiliar words in your previous lessons.
What did you do to understand them? Maybe you look for its definition in the
dictionary or you use context clues. Definitions are common in academic
writing to make ideas or concepts clear.

Read on the activities below and answer the questions that follow.

What’s In

Read this short essay about the computer. Then, answer the
questions that follow.

Your Friend, The Computer

A computer is an electronic system designed to manipulate data and
provide you with useful information. It is concerned with solving the problem
in its entirety.
There are several terms to remember about a computer if you want
to get to know it better for it to become your friend.
The most basic of these terms are hardware, software, developers,
and end-users.
Hardware is the equipment that makes up a computer system.
The programs, routines, and symbolic languages essential to the
operation and maintenance of a computer are called software.

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 The professionals are the people who work together in helping the
end-user find solutions through the computer. They are the systems analysts,
programmers, and computer operators.
The end-user is the person who asks for and uses the information
generated by the computer.
Comprehension Questions:
1. What are the terms defined?
2. What is the definition of each term?

What’s New

A technical definition is a definition in technical communication

describing how something was designed to work by its inventors, its
engineers, or its computer programmers. Technical definitions are used to
introduce the vocabulary which makes communication in a particular field
succinct (brief) and unambiguous (clear).

Commonly used definition patterns:

▪ Term = Classification + Definition
▪ Classification + Definition = Term

Example:
An automobile is a motorized vehicle consisting of four wheels
and powered by an internal-combustion engine.
or
A motorized vehicle consisting of four wheels and powered by an
internal-combustion engine is an automobile.
An operational definition is a definition of a variable in terms of the
operations or techniques used to measure or manipulate it. It is also a
description of how something works in the real world, by real users who are
paying customers.

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 Example:
An automobile is a car or truck that carries passengers or cargoes
from place to place.
or
A car or truck that carries passengers or cargoes from place to
place is an automobile.

What Is It

Activity 1: Complete the grid or table below with the parts of each
definition given in the essay, Your Friend, The Computer.

Term Class Definition

designed to manipulate data and

1. A computer __________________
provide information.
2. ____________ is the equipment _________________________________
_________________________________

3. Software ____________________ _________________________________

_________________________________

4. ____________ ____________________ who work together in helping the

end-users find a solution.

5. ___________ is the person _________________________________

_________________________________

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 What’s More

Activity 1: The Match Maker

Directions: Match the terms and classes in column A with their
definitions or distinguishing characteristics in column B. Write your
answers in your notebook.
A B.
1. Transpiration is the process a. sung without musical
accompaniment
2. A novelist is a person
b. by which water evaporates from
3. A sonnet is a lyric poem the leaves
c. to do work
4. An a cappella is choral music
d. by which plants manufacture
5. A concert is a composition food.
e. concerned with the organization
6. Photosynthesis is a process
and management.
7. Energy is the capacity f. that has 14 lines iambic
pentameter lines.
8. Bureaucracy is a group of
g. composed of carbon, hydrogen,
people and oxygen.
h. who writes novels.
9. A carbohydrate is a
i. who introduces the opera or the
compound concert.
j. of the physical forces and
10. Biophysics is the study
phenomena involved in living
processes.
k. for a solo instrument with
orchestra

Activity 2: Technical or Operational?

Directions: Write T if the definition is technical and O if operational. Write

your answers in your notebook.

1. Height is defined as the number of feet and inches a person is tall.

2. The iliac crest is the area at the front and outside of the hip bones of
your pelvic girdle.
3. The RT-PCR test is a test that uses actual swabs from patients taken
from the nose and throat to determine the actual presence of the
coronavirus.

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4. A mechanical ventilator is an automatic machine designed to provide
all or part of the work the body must do to move gas into and out of
the lungs.
5. A steering wheel is a component of guidance systems found in
occupant controlled vehicles.
6. A steering wheel is a circular device which when turned, turns the
wheel of a car.
7. A stall is a flight condition in which the lift produced becomes less
than the weight of the airplane, and the airplane stops flying.
8. A mini-computer is a small digital computer which has a stored
program.
9. A thermometer is an instrument used to measure temperature.

10. Tracheal intubation is the placement of a flexible plastic tube into the
trachea (windpipe) to maintain an open airway or to serve as a conduit
through which to administer certain drugs.

What I Have Learned

● A technical definition is a definition in the technical

sense, while an operational definition includes information
from the real world.

● In defining a concept or a variable, we follow the pattern:

Term = Classification + Definition

or

Classification + Definition = Term

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 What I Can Do

Activity 1: Combine to Define

Directions: Combine the two sentences to form a definition by using which,

who, or that to connect the concept or variable. Write your answers in your
notebook.

Example:

a. Botany is a science.
b. Botany deals with the study of plants.

Combined sentence: Botany is a science that deals with the study of

plants.

1. a. Keypunch is a data preparation device.

b. A keypunch codes data on cards to be read later by a card reader.

2. a. A calculator is a unit recording equipment.

b. A calculator performs arithmetic functions through a wired control
panel.

3. a. A philatelist is a person.
b. A philatelist collects stamp.

4. a. Metamorphosis is a physical transformation.

b. Metamorphosis is undergone by various animals during
development after the embryonic stage.

5. a. A spectrum is a band of colors.

b. A spectrum can be formed by dispersing the light in a beam of
mixed colors.

Activity 2: Jumbled Words

Directions: Arrange the jumbled words to form a definition sentence.
Observe capitalization and the use of appropriate
punctuation marks.

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 1. that studies language 2. a friend
linguistics is whom we like
is a science and who likes us someone

3. digestion 4. is a set of programs, routines,

and symbolic languages
of breaking down food for use
that is essential to the operation
of the body and maintenance of a computer
is the process software

5. where hydrogen combines

with carbon and oxygen
6. that needs to be cultivated
is the phase of photosynthesis
is a special relationship
carbon dioxide fixation
friendship

7. photosynthesis 8. a mini-computer
in which carbon, hydrogen, and which has a stored program
oxygen combine to form
carbohydrates is a small digital computer

is a series of events

9. is the layer of air 10. is a narrative poem

that surrounds the earth a ballad
the atmosphere intended to be sung

the atmosphere

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 What I Can Do On My Own

To assess your learning and mastery of the target competency – giving

technical and operational definitions, do the following activities.

Activity 1
Directions: Write the technical definitions of the concept or variable given in
various disciplines. Use the words/phrases from the box.

● a strand or fiber used to sew parts of the living body

● a photographic print in white on a bright blue ground used especially

in copying maps, mechanical drawings, and architects’ plan

● a person who brings a legal action

● a drawing intended as satire, caricature, or humor

● a room as in theater or studio where performers can relax before or

after appearances

1. Greenroom (film industry)

2. Blueprint (engineering)
3. Suture (medicine)
4. Cartoon (journalism)
5. Plaintiff (law)

Activity 2:
Directions: Write an operational definition of the following concepts. You
may use the internet or books in defining the terms.
1. A cellular phone
2. A bicycle
3. A laptop
4. A family
5. A gumamela

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Activity 3:
Directions: Complete the definition sentences by supplying the missing concept or
variable. Write the letter of the correct answer in your notebook.

1. A __________ is a person who teaches, usually as a job at a school

or similar institution.
A. ballerina C. mother
B. teacher D. driver

2. __________ is a mild to severe respiratory illness that is caused by a

coronavirus.
A. Bird flu C. SARS
B. Bubonic Plague D. Covid-19

3. A __________ is defined as a member of some distinct ethnic groups

inhabiting upland Mindoro, an island in the Philippines.
A. Mangyan C. Igorot
B. Ati D. Tausug

4. A __________ is a doctor who has special training in medical care for

children.
A. Neurologist C. Pediatrician
B. Veterinarian D. Surgeon

5. A large, juicy fruit that grows in hotter regions, having a rough

skin, a short stem, and pointed leaves on the top, and has a sweet,
yellow flesh is a _____________.
A. banana C. watermelon
B. pineapple D. guyabano

What I Can Do More

Directions: Rearrange the words to form a definition. Use either of the two
patterns.
Example:
psychology – science – human behavior
Psychology is a science that deals with human behavior.
A science that deals with human behavior is psychology.

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1. matter – anything – occupies space and has weight

2. phonetics – the study – speech sounds

3. vertebrates – mammals – have backbones

4. television technician – person – repairs television sets

5. pathologist – doctor – specializes in diseases

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 Answer Key

What I Know
1. D 3. B 5. B 7. A 9. B
2. D 4. A 6. D 8. B 10.A

What is it
1. is an electronic system
2. Hardware / that makes up a computer system
3. are programs, routines, and symbolic languages / essential to the
operation and maintenance of a computer
4. The professionals / are the people
5. End-user / who asks for and uses the information generated by the
computer

What’s More

Activity 2: The Match Maker

1. b 3. f 5. k 7. c 9. g
2. h 4. a 6. d 8. e 10.j

Activity 3: Technical or Operational

1. O 3. O 5. T 7. T 9. O
2. T 4. T 6. O 8. T 10.O

What I Can Do

Activity 1: Combine to Define

1. A keypunch is a data preparation device that/which codes data on to

cards to be read later by a card reader.
A data preparation device that/which codes data on to cards to be read
later by a card reader is a keypunch.

2. A calculator is a unit recording equipment that/which performs

arithmetic functions through a wired control panel.
A unit recording equipment that/which performs arithmetic functions
through a wired control panel is a calculator.

3. A philatelist is a person who collects stamps.

A person who collects stamps is a philatelist.

4. Metamorphosis is a physical transformation undergone by various

animals during development after the embryonic stage.

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 A physical transformation undergone by various animals during
development after the embryonic stage is metamorphosis.

5. A spectrum is a band of colors formed by dispersing the light in a beam

of mixed colors.
A band of colors formed by dispersing the light in a beam of mixed colors
is a spectrum.

Activity 2: Jumbled Words

1. Linguistics is a science that studies language.

A science that studies language is linguistics.

2. A friend is someone whom we like and who likes us.

Someone whom we like and who likes us is a friend.

3. Digestion is the process of breaking down food for use of the body.
The process of breaking down food for use of the body is digestion.

4. Software is a set of programs, routines, and symbolic languages that is

essential to the operation and maintenance of a computer.
A set of programs, routines, and symbolic languages that is essential
to the operation and maintenance of a computer is software.

5. Carbon dioxide fixation is the phase of photosynthesis where hydrogen

combines with carbon and oxygen.
The phase of photosynthesis where hydrogen combines with carbon
and oxygen is carbon dioxide fixation.

6. Friendship is a special relationship that needs to be cultivated.

A special relationship that needs to be cultivated is friendship.

7. Photosynthesis is a series of events in which carbon, hydrogen, and

oxygen combine to form carbohydrate.
A series of events in which carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen combine to
form carbohydrate.

8. A mini-computer is a mall digital computer that has a stored program.

A small digital computer that has a stored program is a mini-computer.

9. The atmosphere is the layer of air that surrounds the earth.

The layer of air that surrounds the earth is the atmosphere.

10. A ballad is a narrative poem intended to be sung.

A narrative poem intended to be sung is a ballad.

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What I Can Do On My Own

Activity 1

1. The greenroom is a room (as in a theater or studio) where performers

can relax before or after appearances.
2. Blueprint is a photographic print in white on a bright blue ground
or blue on a white ground used especially for copying maps,
mechanical drawings, and architects' plans.
3. Suture means a strand or fiber used to sew parts of the living body.
4. A cartoon is a drawing intended as satire, caricature, or humor.
5. A plaintiff is a person who brings legal action.

Activity 2 (Possible answers)

1. A cellular phone is a gadget that you can use to text or call

someone.
2. A two-wheeled vehicle that can bring people to places is a bicycle.
3. A laptop is an object that people use for storing data.
4. A family is the basic unit of the society composed of the father,
mother, and children.
5. A gumamela is a flowering plant that beautifies the surroundings.

Activity 3
1. B 2. D 3. A 4. C 5. B

What I Can Do More

1. Matter is anything that occupies space and has weight.
2. Phonetics is the study of speech sounds.
3. Vertebrates are mammals that have backbones.
4. A television technician is a person who repairs television sets.
5. A pathologist is a doctor who specializes in diseases

My Score Sheet

Activity Score
1
2
3
4
5
Task 1
Task 2
Task 3
6

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References:

Books:

1. Bigornia, A.,Gonzales, C.,Sim, A.,Valencia, A.(2015).Essential

English worktext in literature and language (reprint ed.).Quezon
City: Rex Bookstore

2. Cabana, A.,Esclabanan, C.,Manalo, A.,San Juan, M.

(1992).English III third year high school ( 1st ed.)Diliman Quezon
City: Vibal Publishing

3. De la Cruz, E., Flores, E.,& Ladera, H. (2008).Ventures in

communication a textbook in english for first year high school ( reprint
ed.). Quezon City: Rex Bookstore.

4. Holt, Rinehart, & Winston. (1980). Technical writing (revised ed.)

Quezon City: Ken Inc.

Online Dictionaries:
1. Greenroom. (n.d.). in Merriam-Webster.com dictionary.
Retrieved from: https://www.merriam-
webster.com/dictionary/greenroom
2. Blueprint.(n.d.). in Merriam-Webster.com dictionary.
Retrieved from: https://www.merriam-
webster.com/dictionary/blueprint
3. Suture. (n.d.). in Merriam-Webster.com dictionary.
Retrieved from: https://www.merriam-
webster.com/dictionary/suture
4. Cartoon. (n.d.). in Merriam-Webster.com dictionary.
Retrieved from: https://www.merriam-
webster.com/dictionary/cartoon
5. Plaintiff. (n.d.). in Merriam-Webster.com dictionary.
Retrieved from: https://www.merriam-
webster.com/dictionary/plaintiff
6. Teacher. (n.d.). in Collinsdictionary.com.
Retrieved from
https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/teacher
7. COVID-19. ( n.d.). in Merriam-Webster.com dictionary.
Retrieved from: https://www.merriam-
webster.com/dictionary/COVID-19
8. Mangyan.(n.d.).in lexico.com.
Retrieved from: https://www.lexico.com/definition/Mangyan
9. Pediatrician. (n.d). in Cambridge.org.
Retrieved from:

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 https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/pediatrician
10. Pineapple.(n.d.). in Cambridge .org.
Retrieved from:

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/pineapple

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 PRETEST
1. A type of definition that describes how something was designed to
work by its inventors, engineers, or its computer programmers.
A. Operational C. Systematic
B. Technical D. Logical

2. An automobile is a vehicle consisting of four wheels and powered by

an internal-combustion engine. What is the term defined in this
definition sentence?
A. Vehicle C. Powered
B. Engine D. Automobile

3. An operational definition gives a description of how something works

in the real world. Which of the following is an example of an
operational definition?
A. An automobile is a car or truck that carries passengers or cargoes
from place to place.
B. Software is a set of programs, routines, and symbolic languages
that is essential to the operation and maintenance of a computer.
C. A mini-computer is a small digital computer which has a stored
program.
D. Blueprint is a photographic print in white on a bright blue ground
used especially in copying maps, mechanical drawings, and
architects' plans.

4. Which of the following definition sentences follow the pattern: Term

+ Class + Definition?
A. An instrument used to measure temperature is a thermometer.
B. Height is defined as the number of feet and inches of how tall a
person is.
C. A science that deals with the study of plants is Botany.
D. The process of breaking down food for use of the body is called
digestion.

5. Complete the definition sentence by choosing an appropriate term.

A _________ is a narrative poem intended to be sung.
A. Sonnet C. Ballad
B. Ode D. Elegy

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ANSWER KEY:
1. B
2. D
3. A
4. B
5. C

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For inquiries or feedback, please write or call:

Department of Education, MIMAROPA Region – (CLMD)

Meralco Avenue, corner St. Paul Road, Pasig City

Telephone Nos.: (02) 631-40-70; (02) 637-3093

Email Address: mimaropa.region@deped.gov.ph