WHEREAS, Section 17, Article II of the Constitution provides that the State shall give priority to education, science and technology, arts, culture, and sports to foster patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress, and promote total human liberation and development;

WHEREAS, Republic Act No. 8435 or the "Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act of 1997" declares it a policy of the State to enable those who belong to the agriculture and fisheries sectors to participate and share in the fruits of development and growth in a manner that utilizes the nation's resources in the most efficient and sustainable way possible by establishing a more equitable access to assets, income, basic and support services, and infrastructure;

WHEREAS, agriculture plays a significant role in ensuring food security, as well as fostering environmental protection and balanced urban and rural development;

WHEREAS, on 2 July 1899, the Manila School of Agriculture was established to provide theoretical and practical education to skilled farmers and overseers, and promote agricultural development in the Philippines by means of observation, experiment and investigation towards a deeper awareness and understanding of Philippine agriculture, thereby paving the way for agriculture to formally become an educational course in the Philippines;

WHEREAS, the celebration of the Philippine Agriculturists; Month will engage professional agriculturists in agricultural advocacy, policy research and formulation, and provide an avenue for enterprise-building, communications training, and community development;

WHEREAS, recognizing the contributions of agriculturists and highlighting their importance through a dedicated month will honor their hard work and dedication, and raise awareness about the significance of the agricultural sector in enhancing nationwide agricultural productivity and competitiveness; and

WHEREAS, Section 17, Article VII of the Constitution vests in the President the power of control over all the executive departments, bureaus, and offices and the mandate to ensure the faithful execution of laws;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND R,. MARCOS, JR., President of the Philippines, by virtue vested in me by the Constitution and existing laws, do hereby declare the month of July of every year as "Philippine Agriculturists' Month."

For this purpose, the Department of Agriculture, and the Professional Regulation Commission and its Board of Agriculture shall lead, coordinate, and supervise the observance of Philippine Agriculturists' Month, and identify the programs, activities and projects for the yearly celebration thereof.

All agencies and instrumentalities of the National Government, including government-owned and -controlled corporations, government financial institutions, and state universities and colleges, are hereby directed, and all local government units and the private sector are hereby encouraged, to render the necessary support and assistance for the effective implementation of this Proclamation.

DONE, in the City of Manila, this 10^th day of May, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Twenty-Four.