WHEREAS, it is the policy of the Government to strengthen the autonomy of the local government units and to accelerate their economic and social growth and development;

WHEREAS, it is the duty of the Government to provide the necessary atmosphere conducive to economic growth and healthful ecology through measures calculated to hasten the attainment of the foregoing policy;

WHEREAS, the Department of Agriculture has recommended that the Municipality of San Mateo, Isabela, be declared as agro-ecological destination in Cagayan Valley Region because of its vast ecological and agricultural production areas, as well as being an awardee of œGaling Pook Award 2007  for best local governance programs.

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 Municipality of San Mateo, Province of Isabela as Agro-Ecological Destination in Cagayan Valley Region.

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 1^st day of December, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Eight.


By the President:

(Sgd.) EDUARDO R. ERMITA
Executive Secretary