WHEREAS , Article II, Section 15 of the Constitution declares it a policy of the State to protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them;

WHEREAS , Republic Act (RA) No. 11223 or the "Universal Health Care Act," mandates the State to adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to ensure that all Filipinos are health literate, provided with healthy living conditions, and protected from hazards and risks that could affect their health;

WHEREAS, Section 30 of RA No. 11223 provides that the DOH, as the overall steward for health care, shall strengthen national efforts in providing a comprehensive and coordinated approach to health development with emphasis on scaling up health promotion and preventive care, by improving health literacy and mainstream health promotion and protection;

WHEREAS , among the leading causes of deaths in the Philippines are related to the digestive tract, which includes among others, liver cancer, colorectal cancer, peptic ulcer disease, diarrhea and stomach cancer, which are potentially preventable if the necessary interventions such as screening, public education, advocacies and awareness programs are readily available to the public; and

WHEREAS , there is a need to promote awareness, educate the public, and pool resources for the prevention and management of various diseases and conditions relating to digestive health;

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 March of every year as "Philippine Digestive Health Week."

The Department of Health (DOH) shall lead, coordinate and supervise the nationwide yearly observance of the Philippine Digestive Health Week, with the main objective of increasing awareness and educating the public on the prevention and management of various diseases and conditions relating to digestive health.

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, relevant civil society groups and professional organizations, are hereby encouraged to actively participate and provide the necessary support and assistance to the DOH for the successful conduct of programs, projects and activities relative to the observance and celebration of the Philippine Digestive Health Week.

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 18th day of March  in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Twenty.

(SGD.) RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE

By the President:

(SGD.) SALVADOR C. MEDIALDEA
Executive Secretary