MALACAÑAN PALACE
MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

[ PROCLAMATION NO. 384, May 26, 2003 ]

DECLARING SALVADOR F. BERNAL AS NATIONAL ARTIST FOR 2003

WHEREAS, the Constitution provides for State patronage of arts and letters;

WHEREAS, the category known as National Artist was created under Proclamation No. 1001 dated April 27, 1972;

WHEREAS, preeminent achievements that have enhanced the Filipino's cultural heritage deserve the recognition and acknowledgment of our Government in pursuit of its policy of preserving and developing Filipino culture and a national identity;

WHEREAS, the works and achievements of Salvador F. Bernal in the field of Theater and Design are reflective of this preeminent excellence, and of the national genius that contributes to the artistic heritage of the Philippines and the world;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution and existing laws, upon the recommendation of the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, and pursuant to Proclamation No. 1001, as amended by Proclamation No. 1144 dated May 15, 1973 and Presidential Decree No. 208 dated June 7, 1973, in relation to Section 20, Chapter 7, Title I, Book III of Executive Order No. 292, otherwise known as the "Administrative Code of 1987", do hereby declare Salvador F. Bernal as National Artist for 2003.

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 26th day of May in the year of our Lord, Two Thousand and Three.

(Sgd.) GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO

By the President:

(Sgd.) ALBERTO G. ROMULO
Executive Secretary


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