[ PROCLAMATION NO. 1136, September 08, 2006 ]
DECLARING THE THIRD WEEK OF SEPTEMBER OF EVERY YEAR AS ALZHEIMER S DISEAS AWARENESS WEEK
WHEREAS, the Alzheimer s Disease Association of the Philippines was organized in 2000 composed of multi-disciplinary healthcare professionals, researchers and family caregivers to help address the different concerns in the prevention, treatment and chronic care of individuals with dementia, the most common of which is Alzheimer s Disease (AD);
WHEREAS, AD is an age-related condition causing long-term, disability and requiring chronic care, not only from members of the family, but also from may sectors of the community and society;
WHEREAS, it is estimated that by 2010, the number of Filipinos above 65 years of age will double, and it is an established fact that the incidence of AD increases exponentially above such age;
WHEREAS, it is estimated that by 2030, 14.5 million Filipinos will be at risk of AD;
WHEREAS, AD and related disorders continue to evolve as one of the more serious health problems of the country due to the growing elderly population and burgeoning prevalence of certain lifestyle which puts the Filipino people at high risk for the disease. AD may eventually affect the economy as well as the delivery of healthcare services;
WHEREAS, the different strategies in the prevention, treatment and ideal chronic care of individuals with AD and related disorders should be exuberantly and dynamically pursued to contain the diseases, related disorders, disability and economic burden.
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 third week of September of every year as Alzheimer s Disease Awareness Week.
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 8th day of September, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Six.
(Sgd.) GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO
By the President:
(Sgd.) EDUARDO R. ERMITA
Executive Secretary