WHEREAS, rats are now considered the most destructive agricultural pest in the Philippines, causing millions of pesos worth of damage to almost all kinds of agricultural crops every year;

WHEREAS, rat control should be a responsibility of every citizen of this country; and

WHEREAS, a joint and concerted effort of the Government and private citizens: is necessary to bring rat infestation under control;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Ramon Magsaysay, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby declare the period from September 1 to 30, 1955, and every September thereafter, as Anti-Rat Campaign Month, and authorize and direct barrio, municipal, city, and provincial government officials to sponsor and undertake a thorough anti-rat campaign in their respective communities and to make available their facilities and personnel in the successful prosecution of the objectives of the Anti-Rat Campaign Month. A committee consisting of the Secretary of Agriculture and Natural Resources as Chairman and the following as members: Social Welfare Administrator, Undersecretary of Education, Undersecretary of Public Works and Communications, Undersecretary of Health, Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Technical Assistant on Civil Affairs, Office of the President of the Philippines, and such representatives of civic organizations as the Chairman may designate, shall take charge of and coordinate all activities in connection with the said Anti-Rat Campaign Month. I also urge all civic organizations and civic-spirited citizens to take the initiative and leadership in sponsoring such activities in their respective communities that will insure the success of the campaign.

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 11th day of August, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and fifty-five, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the tenth.

RAMON MAGSAYSAY
President of the Philippines

By the President:

FRED RUIZ CASTRO
Executive Secretary