WHEREAS, Section 15, Article II of the Constitution provides that the State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them;

WHEREAS, Section 2 of Republic Act No. 7277 or the "Magna Carta for Disabled Persons," states that the rehabilitation of disabled persons shall be the concern of the Government in order to foster their capacity to attain more meaningful, productive and satisfying lives;

WHEREAS, Proclamation No. 361 (s.2000) declares the third week of July of every year as the "National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week," to recognize the importance of raising public awareness on the problems of disability, and encourage every citizen to take active responsibility in the upliftment of the economic and social conditions of persons with disability in our society;

WHEREAS, the practice of Physiatry, also known as Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, is a branch of Medicine that aims to enhance, restore and optimize function and quality of life, and prevent the loss of ability to function of patients with physical impairments and disabilities, and specializes in the diagnosis, treatment and management of patients with musculoskeletal, neurological, cardiovascular, pulmonary and other systems disorders, by primarily using physical means, including non-surgical methods, such as physical therapy, speech pathology, occupational therapy and medication, among others;

WHEREAS, in 2018, the World Health Organization revealed that musculoskeletal conditions are the second largest contributor to disability in persons worldwide, causing reduced ability to participate in social roles, early retirement from work, and decreased accumulated wealth;

WHEREAS, stroke and low back pain are among the leading causes of acquired disability in the Philippines, and the number of patients undergoing rehabilitation medicine assessment and management, majority of which are in the National Capital Region, has greatly increased in the last four (4) decades; and

WHEREAS, given the growing number of patients with rehabilitation needs in the country, there is a need to strengthen support in providing accessible and affordable medication and rehabilitation to them by raising awareness and encouraging collaboration among relevant stakeholders;

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 the 17th of July of every year as "National Physiatry Day."

The Department of Health (DOH, in coordination with relevant non government organizations and professional associations, shall promote the observance of the National Physiatry Day, and identify the programs, projects and activities for the year celebration thereof.

All other agencies and instrumentalities 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 hereby encouraged, to cooperate with the DOH in advocating and implementing programs and activities pursuant to this Proclamation.

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 10th of September, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Twenty.

(SGD.) RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE

By the President:

(SGD.) SALVADOR C. MEDIALDEA
Executive Secretary