MALACAÑAN PALACE
MANILA
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES
[ Proclamation No. 74, February 2, 1999 ]
DECLARING FEBRUARY 2 OF EVERY YEAR AS NATIONAL WETLANDS DAY
WHEREAS, in recognition of the immense importance of wetlands to the welfare of the Filipino people and the protection of global biodiversity, the Philippines acceded to the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, otherwise known as the Ramsar Convention;
WHEREAS, the Standing Committee of the Ramsar Convention has chosen 02 February, the anniversary of the signing of the Convention in 1971, to be the annual date for celebrating and promoting wetlands all over the world and call it the “World Wetlands Day.”
WHEREAS, the government, through the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and its Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau, is spearheading the implementation of the National Wetland Action Plan which contains the strategies and programs aimed at encouraging greater citizenry involvement in the protection and sustainable use of wetlands.
WHEREAS, a concerted and unified effort from all sectors of society must be pursued to inspire a sense of pride in the countrys diverse array of productive wetland ecosystems which include the mangrove forests, coral reefs, freshwater marshes, lakes, rivers, seagrass beds, coves, embayments, among others.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH EJERCITO ESTRADA, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby declare every 2nd day of February as National Wetlands Day. All sectors of society and government shall join hands in pursuing activities geared towards promotion of wise use of wetlands.1aшphi1
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 02nd day of FEB, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and ninety nine.
(Sgd.) JOSEPH EJERCITO ESTRADA
By the President:
(Sgd.) RONALDO B. ZAMORA
Executive Secretary
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