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MALACAÑAN PALACE
MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

[ Proclamation No. 382, September 22, 2000 ]

DECLARING THE PERIOD FROM OCTOBER 2 TO 6, 2000 AND THE FIRST WEEK OF OCTOBER EVERY YEAR THEREAFTER AS “NATIONAL AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES R AND D WEEK”

WHEREAS, the Philippines is a predominantly agricultural economy and that economic development is dependent on modernizing the agriculture and fisheries sectors;

WHEREAS, in support to the food security and poverty eradication goals of the governments development program, it is necessary to highlight the role of research and development (R and D) in the countrys drive towards agriculture and fisheries modernization;

WHEREAS, Republic Act No. 8435 or the “Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act of 1997” (AFMA) highlights the importance of R and D, and its application to the countrys production system and national life under the leadership of the Department of Agriculture;

WHEREAS, a strong Philippine agriculture and fisheries R and D system is essential for sustaining a dynamic agricultural development and for converting our natural resource endowments into economic well-being of the Filipino people;

WHEREAS, there is increasing evidence worldwide in the high rates of return of agricultural R and D investments which often exceed 25 percent;

WHEREAS, there is a need to increase awareness and support for agriculture and fisheries R and D activities conducted by various institutions, both public and private, aimed at increasing food availability, improving productivity, enhancing sustainable use of agricultural resources, and developing a competitive agriculture and fisheries sector;

WHEREAS, it is necessary to accelerate the transfer of technologies and dissemination of information for the benefit of the various stakeholders in the agriculture and fisheries sector such as farmers, fisherfolk, processors, traders, agribusinesses, and policy makers.1aшphi1

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH EJERCITO ESTRADA, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby declare the period from October 2 to 6, 2000 and every first week of October every year thereafter as “National Agriculture and Fisheries R and D Week” under the orchestration of the Department of Agricultures Bureau of Agricultural Research.

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

Done in the City of Manila, this 22nd day of September, in the year of Our Lord, two thousand.

(Sgd.) JOSEPH EJERCITO ESTRADA

By the President:

(Sgd.) RONALDO B. ZAMORA
Executive Secretary

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