WHEREAS, a strike was declared today by laborers in the Metropolitan Water District; and

WHEREAS, on November 25, 1953, the Metropolitan Water District was declared an instrumentality of the Government, performing governmental functions which affect the public health;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order the Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines, to assist, aid and/or take over the operation of the Metropolitan Water District, whenever such assistance, aid and/or taking over is requested by the General Manager of the Metropolitan Water District as essential to the continued operation of the water supply system of Manila and vicinity.

Done in the City of Manila, this 23rd day of December, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and fifty-three, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the eighth.


By the President:

(Sgd.) MARCIANO ROQUE
Acting Executive Secretary