MALACAÑAN PALACE
MANILA
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES
[ Proclamation No. 200, May 17, 2002 ]
DECLARING THE SECOND WEEK OF MAY OF EVERY YEAR AS “SAFE MOTHERHOOD WEEK”
WHEREAS, Section 15, Article II, of the Philippine Constitution provides that “The state shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them”;
WHEREAS, Section 11, Article XII, of the Philippine Constitution provides that “The state shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development which shall endeavor to make essential goods, health and other social services available to all the people at affordable cost. There shall be priority for the needs of the underprivileged sick, elderly, disabled, women, and children”;
WHEREAS, Section 14, Article XII, of the Philippine Constitution provides that “The state shall protect working women by providing safe and healthful working conditions, taking into account their maternal functions, and such facilities and opportunities that will enhance their welfare and enable them to realize their full potential in the service of the nation”;
WHEREAS, the Filipino nation is faced with health problems that threaten the lives of the most vulnerable among our population - the large number of women and children that would be denied of their right to health care, nutrition, knowledge and education and better access to economic and social opportunities;
WHEREAS, six to nine million Filipino women are considered to be high risk should they become pregnant as they are either too young (less than 18 years old) or too old (above 35 years old), had four or more pregnancies; have too close or unspaced pregnancies (less than 15 months), and are concurrently ill;
WHEREAS, statistics have shown that our Maternal Mortality Rate (MRR) is 172 per 100,000 live birth or a total of 3,614 maternal deaths per year or 10 mothers dying per day due to pregnancy related complications, like hemorrhage, hypertensive complications, sepsis and abortion;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby declare the second week of May of every year as “Safe Motherhood Week”. The Department of Health with the cooperation of different participating agencies (government and non-government organizations) shall plan for, organize, and coordinate the activities for the celebration of the week.1aшphi1
All government departments, agencies and government owned corporations are hereby enjoined to support and participate in the celebration.
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 17th day of May, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Two.
(Sgd.) GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO
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