February is Philippine Heart Month

February is Philippine Heart Month, to be devoted to the study of the human heart and its afflictions, by virtue of Proclamation No. 1096, s. 1973.

TANGGAPAN NG PANGULO NG PILIPINAS
(OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES)

PROCLAMATION NO. 1096

DECLARING THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY OF EVERY
YEAR AS PHILIPPINE HEART MONTH

WHEREAS, the heart is the seat of life, and the growing prevalence of heart eases among our people should be attended to with urgency;

WHEREAS, there should be national awareness to this serious health problem through a program of emphasis and continuing research and education; and

WHEREAS, the true wealth of a nation is the health of its people and a nation can stand only as strong and healthy as its people are strong and healthy;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ALEJANDRO MELCHOR, Executive Secretary, by order of his Excellency, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Philippines, do hereby declare the month of February of every year as “Philippine Heart Month” to be devoted to the task of effecting the highest possible degree of health care among our people through intensive encouragement of research, experimentation and study of the human heart and its affliction, as well as community involvement in the task of nation building for a healthier citizenry by extensive mass continuing education.

The Department of Health and the Philippine Heart Association in collaboration with the Heart Foundation of the Philippines shall jointly spearhead the above-outlined national effort on a year-round basis and for this purpose may call upon any department, office, Bureau, institution or agency of the Government as well as the private sector to render such assistance as may be necessary to carry out such programs as well as such other activities as may be undertaken pursuant to the provisions of this proclamation.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and earned the seal of the Republic of the Philippines to be affixed.

Done in the City of Manila, this 9th day of January, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and seventy-three.

(Sgd.) ALEJANDRO MELCHOR
Executive Secretary

By the Executive Secretary:

(Sgd.) RONALDO B. ZAMORA
Assistant Executive Secretary

Source: National Library