WHEREAS, a series of notable conferences, fora, and other events which are scheduled on the third week of February 2017 have been organized upon the initiative of the Benita and Catalino Yap Foundation, with the aim of recognizing and stimulating worthy innovations in the areas of government service, small and medium enterprises, technical-vocational education, and agri-business.

WHEREAS, it is a policy of the government to give priority to research and development, invention, innovation, and their utilization; to science and technology education, training, and services; and to the support of indigenous, appropriate, and self-reliant scientific and technological capabilities, and their application to the country's productive systems and national life;

WHEREAS, the 10-point socioeconomic agenda of this Administration includes increasing competitiveness and the ease of doing business, and the promotion of rural and value chain development towards increasing agricultural and rural enterprise activity;

WHEREAS, it is desirable to focus national attention on the significance of innovation and its benefits to society:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby proclaim the 3rd week of February 2017 as œ Philippine Innovation Week ".

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

DONE, in the City of Manila, this 28th day of February in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Seventeen.

(SGD.) RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE

  By the President:

 

  (SGD.) SALVADOR C. MEDIALDEA
  Executive Secretary