MALACAÑAN PALACE
MANILA
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES
[ Proclamation No. 1053, May 3, 2006 ]
DECLARING THE FIRST WEEK OF JULY 2006 AS “NATIONAL BIOTECHNOLOGY WEEK”
WHEREAS, it is the policy of Government to promote safe and responsible use of modern biotechnology and its products as one of the several means to achieve and sustain food security, equitable access to health services, sustainable and safe environment, and industry development.
WHEREAS, biotechnology sustains increased crop yields and farm productivity, and enhances the quality, value, and suitability of crops for food and other uses that are complementary to modern agriculture;
WHEREAS, biotechnology is behind many breakthroughs in human health care that have benefited millions of people through the development of vaccines, antibiotics, and other drugs that cannot be made in any other way;
WHEREAS, biotechnology has delivered benefits to our environment including protection of water quality, conservation of topsoil, improvement of waste management techniques, reduction of chemical pesticide usage, production of renewable energy and biotechnology-based products, and cleaner manufacturing processes;
WHEREAS, there are already biotechnology-based industries in the country that would benefit from the week-long advocacy campaign through recognition of their significant public contribution;
WHEREAS, biotechnology has been helping in the speedy and fair administration of justice through forensic DNA analysis and similar DNA technologies;
WHEREAS, biotechnology increases the pace of technology development for medical, agricultural, industrial, and environmental applications;
WHEREAS, public awareness, education, and understanding of biotechnology is essential for the responsible application and regulation of this new technology; and,
WHEREAS, biotechnology, this year 2006, is celebrating globally a decade of achievements in research and development and its commercial applications in agriculture towards a more healthy and safe use of the products of modern biotechnology.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby proclaim the first week of July 2006 as National Biotechnology Week.
The Secretaries of the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) shall compose a National Biotechnology Week Committee to be chaired by the Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology.1aшphi1
The Committee shall formulate a program for the meaningful celebration of the National Biotechnology Week. They may call upon other government agencies and non-government organizations to assist in its implementation.
IN WITNESS THEREOF, 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 3rd day of May, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Six.
(Sgd.) GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO
By the President:
(Sgd.) EDUARDO R. ERMITA
Executive Secretary
The Lawphil Project - Arellano Law Foundation
