DECLARING THE MONTH OF JANUARY OF EVERY YEAR AS “THE PHILIPPINE TROPICAL FABRICS MONTH”

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the
State to promote products which are indigenous to the Philippines, such
as the use of locally-developed technologies and local resources, as a
tool in the generation of livelihood for Filipinos and to make headway
in the promotion of Filipino products in the global market; 

WHEREAS,
Republic Act (RA) No. 9242 or the “Philippine Tropical Fabrics Law of
2004″ defines tropical fabrics as those containing natural fibers
produced, spun, woven or knitted and finished in the Philippines, for
use in office uniforms of government officials and employees and for
other purposes; 

WHEREAS, the implementation of
RA No. 9242 shall raise awareness on the utilization of natural fibers
like pineapple, banana, abaca and Philippine silk for textile and allied
products and bring about the revival and upgrading of the local textile
and garments industries, thus redounding to the creation of livelihood
in the agricultural and industrial sectors; 

WHEREAS,
Proclamation No. 86 (s. 2010) declared 24 January 2011 as “Philippine
Tropical Fabrics Day” under the auspices of the Philippine Textile
Research institute (PTRI) of the Department of Science and Technology
(DOST) which increased interest on tropical fabrics from among the local
industries; and, 

WHEREAS, there is a need to
sustain the gains from the celebration of the first Philippine Tropical
Fabrics Day and to engage a more active participation of government
institutions and local industries on the use of Philippine Tropical
Fabrics, as well as local natural fibers. 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BENIGNO S. AQUINO, III,
President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by
law, do hereby declare the month of January of every year as the
“Philippine Tropical Fabrics Month.” The PTRI-DOST is hereby directed to
source funds to defray the cost of the celebration. 

The
PTRI-DOST shall also ensure that extensive research on the judicious
utilization of local natural fibers shall be continued and that
meaningful activities to properly celebrate the “Philippine Tropical
Fabrics Month” shall be undertaken toward a sustained development of the
local textile industry. 

All fabric producers, textile
manufacturers, garments and geotextile industries, including the private
sector, associations, institutions and the academe, are hereby enjoined
to actively participate in the proper observance of the “Philippine
Tropical Fabrics Month” and to partner with the government in bringing
about an evolution of the Philippine textile industry as an emerging
leader in the global textile market. 

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 12th day of January in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Twelve.

(Sgd.)  BENIGNO S. AQUINO, III
President of the Philippines

By the President:

(Sgd.) PAQUITO N. OCHOA, JR.
Executive Secretary