WHEREAS, Section 2, Chapter I of Republic Act No. 8799, otherwise known as the "Securities Regulation Code," declares it a policy of the State to protect investors, ensure full and fair disclosure about securities, and minimize if not eliminate insider trading and other fraudulent or manipulative devices and practices, which create distortions in the free market;

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 179, Title XVII of Republic Act No. 11232, otherwise known as the "Revised Corporation Code," the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) shall have the power and authority to exercise supervision over all corporations and persons acting on their behalf, promote the protection of investors, and to prevent imminent fraud or injury to the investing public; and

WHEREAS, due to the growing number of reported investment scams in the country, there is a need to reinforce efforts to inform and educate the public on financial literacy, investor rights and responsibilities, and risks of investment, through the conduct of programs aimed at reducing the investing public's vulnerability to fraudulent schemes;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the power vested in me by the Constitution and existing laws, do hereby declare the second week of November of every year as "Investor Protection Week."

The SEC, in coordination with the Presidential Communications Operations Office, shall lead the observance and celebration of the Investor Protection Week.

All other departments, bureaus and agencies of the national government, including government-owned or -controlled corporations and state universities and colleges, are hereby directed, and all local government units, as well as the private sector, are encouraged to actively participate and provide assistance to the SEC, consistent with their respective mandates, in the conduct of programs, projects and activities relative to the aforesaid celebration.

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 15 th day of November in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Nineteen.

(SGD.) RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE

By the President:

(SGD.) SALVADOR C. MEDIALDEA
Executive Secretary