Declaring the Month of September 2009 as Charity Month

August 18, 2009

PROCLAMATION NO. 1860

DECLARING THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 2009 AS CHARITY MONTH

WHEREAS, Republic Act No. 1169, as amended, created the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) as the principal government agency for raising and providing funds for charities of national character; LLjur

WHEREAS, the PCSO is celebrating its 75th year of existence of successfully carrying out its mandate by leading government efforts to raise charity funds;

WHEREAS, over the years, PCSO has been vigorous in raising much needed funds for the government by holding charity races, national lotteries known as the Lotto, the Small Town Lotteries (STL), and other similar activities;

WHEREAS, the conduct of such activities also provide the Filipinos with opportunities to engage in acts of charity to help in medical, hospitalization and other vital needs of the less fortunate;

WHEREAS, raising funds for charity has given the Filipino people a way to genuinely unite in the face of pressing social, political and economic concerns; IHTaCE

WHEREAS, it is essential to raise the consciousness of a greater number of our people about the virtue of charity and volunteerism to foster national unity.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by the powers vested in me by law, do hereby declare the month of September 2009 as "Charity Month", and authorizing the PCSO to be the lead agency in undertaking activities for charity among all sectors of society.

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 August, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Nine. CDHAcI