DECLARING THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 16 TO FEBRUARY 15, 1954, AS PHILIPPINE TOURIST MONTH

WHEREAS, the attention of the travel world is now
being focused on the Philippines as a potential tourist paradise;

WHEREAS, there will be held in Manila two
international travel conferences, that of the Asian and Far Eastern Travel
Commission (AFETC) from January 25 to January 27, 1954, and that of the Pacific
Area Travel Association (PATA) from January 27 to February 1, 1954, to study,
discuss and devise measures affecting common problems in travel development and
tourist promotion work in Asia and the Pacific area;

WHEREAS, it is essential that our people
understand and fully appreciate the fact that a prosperous travel industry can
be a vital factor in the expansion and strengthening of our national economy;
and

WHEREAS, it is highly desirable that the public
cooperate with the government in the active development of a Philippine tourist
industry as envisaged in Republic Act No. 710, granting a charter to the
Philippine Tourist and Travel Association, Inc.;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Ramon Magsaysay, President of
the Philippines, do hereby declare the period from January 16 to February 15,
1954, as Philippine Tourist Promotion Month. I call upon all government offices
and instrumentalities throughout the country as well as all private entities
and individuals to participate in the proper observance of said period, to give
fullest publicity to the tourist promotion activities organized in connection
therewith, and otherwise to generously support the Philippine Tourist and
Travel Association, Inc., in its task of carrying out the government’s program
of developing Philippine tourism and travel. I especially call on the schools,
civic organizations and service clubs to devote one day of said period to a
program of education for the promotion of knowledge and love of country as a
sound basis for the encouragement of greater travel and intercourse among our
people and those of other countries so as to increase tourism within our
territory. I also call on the public to assist in the development of tourist
attractions and facilities, especially enjoining everyone to keep our tourist
spots not only beautiful but also clean and healthful for the common enjoyment
of all.

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 22nd day of
January, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and fifty-four, and of the
Independence of the Philippines, the eighth.

RAMON MAGSAYSAY
President of the Philippines

By the President:

FRED RUIZ CASTRO
Executive Secretary