Proclamation No. 652, s. 2004

MALACANANG Manila

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES PROCLAMATION NO. 652

DECLARING THE LAST WEEK OF OCTOBER OF EVERY YEAR AS “NATIONAL TOWNS WEEK”

WHEREAS, The Outstanding Women in the Nation’s Service (TOWNS) Award is conferred every three years by the TOWNS Foundation on Filipino women who have rendered outstanding service to the nation;

WHEREAS, the TOWNS Foundation is a dynamic group of empowered Filipino women leaders who have contributed positively to shaping the nation’s future and serving as a catalyst for economic and social development by providing their time, talent and resources to government, business, media, the arts, the academe, sports and non- government organizations;

WHEREAS, since its initiation in 1974 by the Lions’ Club International, the TOWNS award has been conferred on a total of 128 outstanding Filipino women who have served and continue to serve our country and our people;

WHEREAS, in 1995, the search for outstanding Fillpino women in the nation’s service was transferred to the independent TOWNS Foundation made up of TOWNS awardees;

WHEREAS, the continuing search for outstanding Filipino women leaders in the nation’s service by the TOWNS Foundation deserves the unqualified support of government and society.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby declare the last week of October of every year as “National TOWNS Week” under the auspices of the TOWNS Foundation, Inc.

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 25 Hay of June _ , inthe year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Four.

By the President: / y, * Mer. £9 Lon. st

ALBERTO G. ROMULO Executive Secretary

X 26503

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