WHEREAS, Article II, Section 16 of the Constitution guarantees the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature;

WHEREAS, Article XIII, Section 9 of the Constitution mandates that the State shall, by law and for the common good, undertake in cooperation with the public sector a continuing program of urban land reform and housing, which will make available at affordable cost decent housing and basic services to underprivileged and homeless citizens in urban centers and resettlement areas;

WHEREAS, Republic Act No. 10587 or the "Environmental Planning Act of 2013," recognizes the importance of environmental planning in nation-building and economic development;

WHEREAS, November 8 is celebrated worldwide as the "World Town Planning Day," to advance public and professional awareness in local and international planning, and to raise awareness on the environmental impacts resulting from the development of cities and territories;

WHEREAS, there is a need to increase awareness on the significance of urban and regional planning and environmental planning, as a means to address the urgent issues and concerns on environmental hazards, and to highlight the importance of land planning and balanced use of resources as a tool in attaining a quality of life conducive to the well-being of all Filipinos; and

WHEREAS, the commemoration of an Environmental Planning Day in the Philippines will provide an opportunity to disseminate information and raise awareness on the importance of environmental planning in managing, uncontrolled urbanization and development, as well as ensuring ecological integrity and a clean and healthy environment, which are among the foundations of sustainable development;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution and existing laws, do hereby declare November 8 of every year as "Environmental Planning Day of the Philippines."

For this purpose, all agencies and instrumentalities of the national government, including government-owned or -controlled corporations and state universities and colleges, specifically those involved in environmental planning and sustainable use of resources, are hereby enjoined, and all local government units, the private sector, relevant civil society organizations and professional groups are hereby encouraged, to actively support and provide the necessary assistance for the successful conduct of programs, projects and activities relative to the observance and celebration of the Environmental Planning Day of the Philippines.

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 15thday 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