MALACAÑAN PALACE

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

PROCLAMATION NO. 1187

DECLARING THE MONTH OF DECEMBER OF EVERY YEAR AS NATIONAL PRESS CONGRESS MONTH AND THE MONTH OF THE COMMUNITY PRESS IN THE SERVICE OF THE NATION

WHEREAS, the Publishers Association of the Philippines, Inc. (PAPI) is spearheading the holding of the National Press Congress every December of the year;

WHEREAS, PAPI is a professional organization dedicated to the promotion and defense of press freedom to the lofty ideals of journalism as a public service especially in the countryside; and

WHEREAS, there is a need to focus attention on the important role the PAPI plays in upholding press freedom and the dignity of journalism and publishing profession.

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 declare the month of December of every year as National Press Congress Month and the Month of the Community Press in the Service of the Nation, under the auspices of the Publishers Association of the Philippines, Inc.

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 7th day of December, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Six.

(Sgd.) GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO