Proclamation No. 176




MALACAÑAN PALACE MANILA BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES [ Proclamation No. 176, April 15, 2002 ] DECLARING THE YEAR 2002 AS “THE YEAR OF MOUNTAINS”, AND THE MONTH OF JUNE OF EVERY YEAR THEREAFTER AS “THE MONTH OF MOUNTAINS” IN THE PHILIPPINES, AND PROVIDING FOR THE CONDUCT OF ACTIVITIES FOR ITS CELEBRATION WHEREAS, the United Nations General Assembly has declared the year 2002 as the International Year of the Mountain (IYM) and has provided the overall goal of ensuring the well being of mountain populations by promoting sustainable development of the countrys forest resources and thus encourages all government agencies, organizations, non-government organizations, private sector to consider the actions needed to increase awareness in the importance of sustainable mountain development; WHEREAS, the Philippines supports global initiatives towards environmental management and protection by recalling the relevant provisions of Chapter 13 of Agenda 21 on “Sustainable Mountain Development”; WHEREAS, Article II, Section 16 of the 1987 Constitution provides for the protection and advancement of the right of the Filipino people to a healthful and balanced ecology; WHEREAS, the critical importance of protecting and maintaining the natural biological and physical diversities of the environment notably on areas with biologically unique features to sustain human life and development, as well as plant and animal life, through the establishment of the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS), is recognized; WHEREAS, the Philippines acknowledges and affirms indigenous knowledge, systems and practices of the indigenous peoples, constituting about 20% of the countrys population and who have been managing mountain resources since time immemorial; WHEREAS, in recognition of the importance of the forest ecosystem and its resources in the Philippines as direct life-support base and source of goods and services for the welfare of the Filipino people, it is declared a policy that Community-based Forest Management shall be the primary national strategy to achieve sustainable forestry, equitable access and social justice, taking into account the needs and aspirations of local communities whose livelihood depends on the uplands; NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby declare the year 2002 as “Year of Mountains” and the month of June of every year thereafter as the “Month of Mountains” in the Philippines. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), in collaboration with other concerned government agencies, private sector, local government units (LGUs), state colleges and universities, government-owned or controlled corporations concerned, Indigenous Cultural Communities (ICCs)/Indigenous Peoples (IPs), non-government organizations (NGO), civil society and civic groups, shall spearhead the observance of the “Year of Mountains” in 2002 and the month of June as the “Month of Mountains” of each year thereafter through the conduct of activities that highlights conservation, protection and sustainable management practices of the Philippine mountains. All concerned government agencies, ICCs/IPs, business, civil society and other stakeholders are hereby enjoined to provide full support to the observance of the “Year of Mountains” in 2002 and the month of June of every year thereafter as the “Month of Mountains”. The DENR is hereby directed to establish coordinative and oversight mechanisms with all organizations and institutions involved in the celebration of the “Year of Mountains” in 2002 and the month of June of every year thereafter as the “Month of Mountains”. A National Committee for the International Year of Mountains shall be established by the DENR to coordinate the activities and oversee the participation of all organizations and institutions involved.1aшphi1 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 15th day of April, in the year of Our Lord, two thousand and two. (Sgd.) GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO By the President: (Sgd.) ALBERTO G. ROMULO Executive Secretary The Lawphil Project - Arellano Law Foundation