Proclamation No. 698, s. 2004

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BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES PROCLAMATION NO. 648

DECLARING THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER AS “TRADITIONAL & ALTERNATIVE HEALTH CARE MONTH”

WHEREAS, the Traditional & Altcrnative Medicine Act (TAMAS of 1997, R.A. No. 8423 declares that it is the policy of the State Lo improve the qQuatily and delivery of health care services bo the Filipino peeple through the development of traditional and alternative health care and its integration into the

national health care delivery system,

WHEREAS, the intent of this policy is to promote and be able to provide an array. of affordable, accessible and = effective — traditional and complementary/alzernative health Care options for our peaple to choose fron,

WHEREAS, the Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Health Care (PYTAHC), created under R.A. No. 8423 in partnership with other government agencies, non-government organizations, Ure herbal and satura products industry, the private sector and practitioners of traditional and compiementary/alternative health care modalities, are vigorousty pursuing the implementation of this policy:

WHEREAS, since much of medical care in the country ts focused on primary health care, the first line of defense, there is a need far our people to adopt a healthy lifestyle and: be aware of the existence of traditional and atternative medicine whieh are effective and affordable for preventing and healing a wide variety of diseases;

WHEREAS, there are about 2,000 medicinal plants is the Philippines and there is a need to accelerate the research and development of these plants for

medical use.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, in the interest of accelerating the development of traditional and alternative medicine for the good of our people, do hereby declare the month of November

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as “Traditional & Alternative Health Care Month”. PITAHC and the Department of Heaith, with the cooperation of participating agencies

• (government and non-government - organizations}, shall plan, organize and coordinate the. activities for the celebration of the month.

All government departments, agencies and government-owned and controlled 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 19th day of August , in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Four.

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By the President:

ALBERTO G. ROMULO . Executive Secretary

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