MALACAÑAN PALACE
MANILA
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES
[ Proclamation No. 1180, August 30, 1973 ]
DECLARING SEPTEMBER 21 AS NATIONAL THANKSGIVING DAY
WHEREAS, the Association of Barrio Captains has urged the proclamation of September 21st as the National Thanksgiving Day in a formal resolution presented to the President of the Philippines and the First Lady, Mrs. Imelda Romualdez Marcos;
WHEREAS, in the said resolution the Association of Barrio Captains declared:
“SAPAGKA’T, kami, na mga lider ng mga nayon ay masusi at buong kasiyahan namamasdan ang mga isinasagawang hakbang pangkaunlaran gayon din ang mga bunga ng ganitong di-karaniwang gawain ng isang makabayang pinuno para sa kapakanan ng ating mga kulang – palad na mga kapatid na nasa nayon;
“SAPAGKA’T, sa maikling panahon ng labing-isang buwan buhat nang ipahayag ang Batas Hukbo, ang ating bansa ay dumanas ng himagsikang panlipunan at pangkabuhayan na ang nagtamo ng kapakinabangan ay mga tao tungo sa kapayapaan at kaunlaran;
“SAPAGKA’T, nakatulong ng malaki ang Batas Hukbo tungo sa pagpapalaganap ng kapayapaan at kaayusan; nagpalaya sa mga magsasaka sa pagkakatanikala sa lupang sinasaka; pinag-ibayo ang kainaman ng paglilingkod sa pamahalaan, isinakatuparan ang iba’t-ibang mga proyektong “infrastructural” at pinalakas ang ating mga institusyong panlipunan; pinag-isa ang ating bansa sa pamamagitan ng magkakaugnay na mga palatuntunang binalangkas upang iangat ang pamumuhay ng mga kapatid nating Muslim sa Timog at sa dakong huli’y pinatatag ang ekonomiya upang makalikha ng Bagong Lipunang binubuo ng mararangal na mamamayan;
“SAPAGKA’T, kami’y nananalig na ang lahat ng kaayusang ito ng lipunan at kabuhayan ay hindi matatamo kung-di dahil sa katapangan at katatagan ng kagalang-galang na Pangulo FERDINAND E. MARCOS sa pagpapahayag ng Batas Hukbo noong Setyembre 21, 1972;
“SAPAGKA’T, ang ika-21 araw ng Setyembre ay tanda ng makasaysayang Simula ng pagbabago ng ating bansa na nakapagdulot ng hindi mabilang na kapakinabangan sa mga mamamayan sa nayon.”
WHEREAS, similar petition to declare September 21st as National Thanksgiving Day for the Philippines has been received from other community leaders as well as private citizens;
WHEREAS, the proclamation of Martial Law has been endorsed overwhelmingly by our people in two referendums held after its proclamation on September 21, 1972?
WHEREAS, it is the consensus of our people that:
(1) The timely imposition of martial law saved the country from the clutches of national disintegration sought to be brought about by lawless elements and other persons engaged in a criminal conspiracy to overthrow the duly constituted government;
(2) Under the regime of martial law the country has registered tremendous improvements and advancements in all aspects of national life — in peace and order, economic development and public service through the elimination of undesirable public officials and the all-out drive against graft and corruption;
(3) Achievements made under martial law far exceeded expectations particularly in reforming a sick society fast falling into degeneration and disunity;
(4) Martial law struck a note of harmony and unity among our people in working for the common good — the development, growth, progress and prosperity of the country;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E.1aшphi1 MARCOS, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby declare September 21 of every year as National Thanksgiving Day and I hereby call upon all our people to reflect on the blessings of goodwill and prosperity achieved under the umbrella of martial law, and to resolve to work together all the more for the continued growth, prosperity and happiness of our country and people,
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 30th day of August, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and seventy-three.
(Sgd.) FERDINAND E. MARCOS
By the President:
(Sgd.) ALEJANDRO MELCHOR
Executive Secretary
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