Malacanang Palace
Manila

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

PROCLAMATION No. 125

PROCLAIMING THE NATIONWIDE OBSERVANCE IN THE PHILIPPINES OF THE ASIAN AND PACIFIC DECADE OF DISABLED PERSONS, 1993-2002

WHEREAS, the government recognizes that persons with disabilities have the same rights as other people to take their proper place in society;

WHEREAS, while the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons has been instrumental in promoting the plight of disabled persons and advancing disability concerns, the goals of equalization of opportunities and full participation of people with disabilities are still far from being reached;

WHEREAS, it is the ardent wish of the disabled community to have an Asian and Pacific Decade which will prove an effective means to upgrade their living standards;

WHEREAS, at the Fourth Asian and Pacific Ministerial Conference on Social Welfare and Development hosted by the Philippines in October 1992, the government, along with those of Asian and Pacific region strongly endorsed the declaration of a second Decade of Disabled Persons;

WHEREAS, at a meeting convened by the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific in Beijing, China, from December 1-5, 1992, an Asia and Pacific Decade was launched;

WHEREAS, by virtue of its membership in the ESCAP, the Philippines is committed to participate in and observe the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FIDEL V. RAMOS, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the power vested in me by law, do hereby proclaim the nationwide observance of the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons.

All heads of Departments, Chiefs of Bureaus, Offices, Agencies and Instrumentalities of the National Government including officials of local governments, are hereby instructed and directed to develop and implement plans, programs and activities based on the Agenda for Action for the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons in consultation with people with disabilities.

The National Council for the Welfare of Disabled Persons including its member agencies is hereby directed to give the Agenda for Action the widest possible dissemination to the private and public sectors. It shall coordinate and monitor all programs, projects and activities pertaining to the Agenda for Action.

Non-government organizations and self-help groups among the disabled, as well as professional associations are hereby enjoined to take full cognizance of the Agenda for Action for Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons and to fully cooperate in the attainment of its goals, objectives and activities by gearing their policies and aligning their program to said Agenda.

The National Council for the Welfare of Disabled Persons including its member agencies is hereby directed to give the Agenda for Action the widest possible dissemination to the private and public sectors. It shall coordinate and monitor all programs projects and activities pertaining to the Agenda for Action.

Non-government organizations and self-help groups among the disabled, as well as professional associations are hereby enjoined to to take full cognizance of the Agenda for Action for Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons and to fully cooperate in the attainment of its goals, objectives and activities by gearing their policies and aligning their programs to said Aqenda.

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 January in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and ninety-three.

(SGD.) FIDEL V. RAMOS

By the President:

(SGD.) ANTONIO T. CARPIO
Chief, Presidential Legal Counsel