WHEREAS, Section 12, Article II of the 1987 Constitution provides that the State recognizes the sanctity of family life and shall protect and strengthen the family as a basic autonomous social institution;

WHEREAS, Section 2, Article XV of the 1987 Constitution provides that marriage as an inviolable social institution, is the foundation of the family and shall be protected by the State;

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the State to defend the rights of the family and actively work to strengthen its solidarity and promote its development; and

WHEREAS, there is a need to promote nationwide awareness that marriage is the natural institution for the transmission of life wherein different generations come together in harmony for the development and well-being of society.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BENIGNO S. AQUINO III, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby declare of 12-18 May 2014 as National Family and Marriage 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 4th day of April, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Fourteen.

(Sgd.) BENIGNO S. AQUINO III

By authority of the President:

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