Declaring September 26 of Every Year as "World Environmental Health Day" in the Philippines

October 1, 2018

PROCLAMATION NO. 595

DECLARING SEPTEMBER 26 OF EVERY YEAR AS "WORLD ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH DAY" IN THE PHILIPPINES

WHEREAS, the Constitution declares that the State shall protect and advance the right of the Filipino people to a balanced and healthful ecology and shall protect and promote their right to health and instill health consciousness among them;

WHEREAS, a study by the World Health Organization (WHO) revealed that about one-fourth, or an estimated 12.6 million, of all global deaths have occurred due to environmental risks such as air, water and soil pollution, chemical exposures, climate change and ultraviolet radiation;

WHEREAS, according to the WHO, environmental health addresses all the physical, chemical, and biological factors external to a person, and all the related factors impacting human behavior;

WHEREAS, environmental health encompasses the assessment and control of the said environmental factors that can potentially affect health and is targeted towards preventing diseases and creating health-supportive environments;

WHEREAS, September 26 has been declared as "World Environmental Health Day" by the International Federation of Environmental Health, to be celebrated each year to promote awareness of pressing environmental health issues, encourage cooperation between countries on areas where environmental health risks and problems cross borders and transcend boundaries, and stimulate action among stakeholders; and

WHEREAS, the celebration of World Environmental Health Day in the Philippines is supportive of the objectives of the Philippine Development Plan 2017 to 2022, as it seeks to raise public consciousness on the relationship of health and the environment, and promote activities and programs which ensure accountability on health and environmental integrity;

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 September 26 of every year as "World Environmental Health Day" in the Philippines. CAIHTE

The Inter-Agency Committee on Environmental Health (IACEH), through its lead agencies, the Department of Health and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, shall promote the observance of the World Environmental Health Day in the Philippines, as well as determine the theme and identify the programs, projects, and activities for the yearly celebration thereof.

All other agencies and instrumentalities of the National Government, including government-owned or -controlled corporations, are hereby directed, and all local government units, as well as the private sector, including non-government organizations, the academe, and environmental health professionals, are hereby encouraged to cooperate with the IACEH 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 1st day of October, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand Eighteen.

Published in the Official Gazette, Vol. 114, No. 42, p. 7155 on October 15, 2018.