[ PROCLAMATION NO. 398, March 24, 1957 ]

AUTHORIZING THE ELKS CEREBRAL PALSY PROJECT, INC., TO CONDUCT A NATIONAL EDUCATIONAL AND FUND CAMPAIGN DURING THE PERIOD FROM APRIL 1 TO MAY 31, 1957



WHEREAS, some 1,400 babies are born yearly in the Philippines afflicted with cerebral palsy, a condition which impairs and causes complete loss of muscular control, rendering those afflicted with it unable to take care of themselves;

WHEREAS, unless these cerebral-palsied children are given proper occupational and physical therapy, they are liable to grow up as cumbersome liabilities to society, but if accorded the necessary care, they can be improved to such a degree that their parents and the community in general may be completely relieved of the burden of attending to their needs and they themselves may even become valuable assets to the nation;

WHEREAS, there now exists a dearth of authoritative knowledge concerning the nature and treatment of cerebral palsy and at present only the Elks Cerebral Palsy clinic, built by the Elks Cerebral Palsy Project, Inc., out of funds solicited during the 1956 fund drive, is being operated in this country for the rehabilitation of the cerebral-palsied;

WHEREAS, it is therefore evident that there is an urgent need for an intensive and extensive two-pronged campaign to educate the people on various aspects of cerebral palsy with a view to minimizing, if not totally eliminating, its deleterious effects, and to raise funds for the operation and expansion of present facilities at the Elks Cerebral Palsy clinic and the purchase of adequate medicine for the treatment of those afflicted with it; and

WHEREAS, the Elks Cerebral Palsy Project, Inc., has initiated such a campaign and should be lauded for undertaking the selfless task of sponsoring a drive to help unfortunate cerebral palsied individuals, in which campaign it fully deserves the support of the government and the entire nation;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Carlos P. Garcia, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the authority vested in me by law do hereby authorize the Elks Cerebral Palsy Project, Inc., to conduct a national educational and fund campaign during the period from April 1 to May 31, 1957. I call upon all citizens and residents of the Philippines, irrespective of race or creed, to support the humanitarian campaign by giving generously of their means to alleviate the miserable plight of those unfortunate individuals afflicted with cerebral palsy.

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 24th day of March, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and fifty-seven, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the eleventh.  

CARLOS P. GARCIA
President of the Philippines

By the President:

FORTUNATO DE LEON
Executive Secretary