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MALACAÑAN PALACE
MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

[ Proclamation No. 222, July 16, 2002 ]

DECLARING THE LAST WEEK OF JULY OF EVERY YEAR AS NATIONAL ABACA WEEK

WHEREAS, abaca (Musa textilis nee) is indigenous to the Philippines and is one fiber that has made the Philippines known all over the world;

WHEREAS, abaca is a traditional export commodity generating much needed foreign exchange revenues and is one of the major sources of employment especially in the countryside;

WHEREAS, the Philippines is the worlds biggest producer of abaca fiber supplying 85% of the global requirement;

WHEREAS, abaca is acknowledged the world over as the best material for cordage and various specialty paper products such as paper currency;

WHEREAS, the observance of a National Abaca Week will help promote, enhance and instill nationwide awareness and appreciation of the importance and value of this truly Filipino fiber to the Philippines and the national economy;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby declare the last week of July of every year as National Abaca Week.1aшphi1

All departments, agencies and instrumentalities of the national and local government, the private sector, and the public at large are hereby enjoined to actively support the activities and programs for the National Abaca Week.

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 16th day of July, 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

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