Proclamation No. 263, s. 2002

MALACANANG Manila PMS. LIBRARY.

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES PROCLAMATION NO. 263

DECLARING THE MONTH OF OCTOBER 2002 AS CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE (COPD) AWARENESS MONTH

WHEREAS, the Philippine College of Chest Physicians and the Department of Health request for the declaration of October 2002 as the COPD Awareness Month to initiate and carry on an intensified campaign against chronic lung diseases which is among the top ten causes of mortality in our country, with the ultimate objective of decreasing its prevalence and lethality a goal which I and my administration fully support.

WHEREAS, there should be national awareness of the growing prevalence of lung diseases among our people which should be attended with urgency, and that the true wealth of a nation is the health of its people;

WHEREAS, the said period be devoted to the task of increasing the awareness of the Filipino people of chronic lung diseases and the dangers of smoking as the major risk factor involved;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby declare the month of October 2002 as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Awareness Month.

I call upon the Philippine College of Chest Physicians and its allied organizations, Department of Health, other government agencies/instrumentalities and concerned orga- nizations both in government and private to extend full support to the programs and activities planned for the month.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, | 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 2¥tay of S@otember , in the year of Our Lord, two thousand and two.

By the President: y Ci GZ

ALBERTO G. ROMULO

Executive Secretary all vil It tm PGMA Outgoing 1

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