Proclamation No. 905, s. 1996

MALACAÑAN PALACE
MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

[ Proclamation No. 905, October 15, 1996 ]

DECLARING THE PHILIPPINE PEARL, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE SOUTH SEA PEARL, AS THE NATIONAL GEM

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the State to promote the rich historical and cultural heritage of the country which embodies national unity and spirit;

WHEREAS, the Philippine Pearl, internationally known as the South Sea Pearl, is a distinctive part of our socio-economic and cultural tradition;

WHEREAS, the local pearl industry which is among the worlds leading pearl producers, has produced the worlds largest pearl, known as the “Pearl of Allah” or as the “Pearl of Lao Tze”;

WHEREAS, the declaration of the Philippine Pearl as the National Gem shall further promote the cultural heritage of the country and support its national development efforts;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FIDEL V. RAMOS, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, and upon the recommendation of the Department of Tourism, do hereby declare the Philippine Pearl, known as the South Sea Pearl, as the National Gem.

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 15Th day of October, in the Year of Our Lord, Nineteen Hundred and Ninety-Six.

(Sgd.) FIDEL V. RAMOS

By the President

(Sgd.) RUBEN D. TORRES
Executive Secretary