WHEREAS, the Filipino people should celebrate and recognize the Filipino children as the most valuable asset of the nation;

WHEREAS, the Constitution provides:  "The State recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-building and shall promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being.  It shall inculcate in the youth patriotism and nationalism, and encourage their involvement in public and civic affairs";

WHEREAS, in 1954, the United Nation's General Assembly, passed a resolution formally establishing Universal Children's Day, which has been observed for the past 30 years in 149 countries.

WHEREAS, the Filipino children should be made to feel that the adult sector of society care for their well-being;

WHEREAS, the designation of a day to commemorate the Filipino children will emphasize to the Filipino nation the importance of the role of the child within the family and within society;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FIDEL V. RAMOS, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby declare the 17th day of October of every year as National Children's Day.

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

Adopted: 16 Oct. 1992