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MALACAÑAN PALACE
MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

[ PROCLAMATION NO. 657, July 05, 2004 ]

DECLARING THE YEAR 2000-2010 AS THE "BONE AND JOINT DECADE"

WHEREAS, musculoskeletal conditions caused by trauma and accidents ranked 6th as a leading caused of mortality and morbidity in the 1989 Health Intelligence Survey Service of the Department of Health, and is projected to be number three leading cause of mortality by the year 2020;

WHEREAS, the year 2000-2010 has been declared the Bone and Joint Decade endorsed by the United Nations and the World Health Organization, and by more than 80 governments to date;

WHEREAS, the objectives of the Bone and Joint Decade are as follows: A) Raising awareness of the growing burden of musculoskeletal disorders on society; b) Empowering patients to participate in their own care; c) Promoting cost effective prevention and treatment; and d) Advancing understanding of musculoskeletal disorders through research to improve prevention and treatment.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL–ARROYO, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the power vested in me by law, do hereby declare the year 2000-2010 as the "Bone and Joint Decade" to be observed in the country.

IN WITNESS THEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Republic of the Philippines to be affixed.ℒαwρhi৷

Done in the City of Manila, this 5th day of July, in the year of our Lord, Two Thousand and Four.

(Sgd.) GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO

By the President:

(Sgd.) ALBERTO ROMULO
Executive Secretary

The Lawphil Project - Arellano Law Foundation

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