Declaring the Month of June 2009 as "Red Cross Month"

May 20, 2009

PROCLAMATION NO. 1781

DECLARING THE MONTH OF JUNE 2009 AS "RED CROSS MONTH"

WHEREAS, on 24 June 1859, the Father of the Red Cross, Jean Henry Dunant witnessed the Battle of Solferino in Italy where he provided impartial humanitarian aid to the wounded soldiers on the battlefield;

WHEREAS, his experience inspired him to write a book entitled "A Memory of Solferino" where he proposed the creation of voluntary organizations to assist the wounded in times of war;

WHEREAS, this proposal sparked the formation of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement which is now composed of 186 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the International Committee of the Red Cross and also the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies;

WHEREAS, the 24th of June 2009 is the 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Solferino which will be celebrated worldwide by the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and also by the international community;

WHEREAS, the Philippine National Red Cross will organize activities to commemorate this international event and enjoins every Filipino nationwide to participate in the same and to be a member of the Red Cross;

WHEREAS, in the observance of the Red Cross month, all employees of the government and private sectors are encouraged to be involved, to participate and initiate activities and programs not only limited to bloodletting drive, first-aid trainings, disaster preparedness programs and voluntary donations;

WHEREAS, the Department of Education is directed to initiate various activities including first-aid trainings among members and volunteers of Red Cross in all public schools nationwide.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby declare the month of June 2009 as "Red Cross Month".

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 20th day of May, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Nine.