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

WHEREAS, cerebral-palsied children, given proper therapy and treatment, may be improved to such a degree as to relieve their parents and the community in general of the burden of attending to their needs and 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 clinics built by the Elks Cerebral Palsy Project, Inc., out of funds solicited during previous fund drives, operate 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 of the Elks Cerebral Palsy clinics and the purchase of adequate medicine and specialized equipment 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, DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL, 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 May 1 to June 2, 1963. I call upon all citizens and residents of the Philippines, irrespective of race and creed, to support the humanitarian campaign by giving generously of their means to alleviate the miserable plight of these unfortunate individuals afflicted with cerebral palsy. I authorize government officials and employees, including school authorities and teachers, to accept, for the Elks Cerebral Palsy Project, Inc., fund-raising responsibilities and to give it active support and leadership in their respective communities.

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 5th day of April, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and sixty-three.


By the President:
SALVADOR L. MARI O
Executive Secretary