PROCLAMATION NO. 1685

: The President of the Republic of the Philippines has the authority to declare the Municipality of San Mateo as an Agro-Ecological Destination, as evidenced by Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's proclamation.
: The government aims to strengthen the autonomy of local government units and accelerate their economic and social growth and development.
: The Department of Agriculture recommended that the Municipality of San Mateo be declared an agro-ecological destination.
: San Mateo was declared as such because of its vast ecological and agricultural production areas and for being an awardee of the aGaling Pook Award 2007 for best local governance programs.
: The proclamation supports economic growth and healthful ecology through measures calculated to hasten the attainment of the policy of local autonomy and development.
: The proclamation relies on the powers vested in the President of the Republic of the Philippines by law.
: San Mateo is declared as an Agro-Ecological Destination in the Cagayan Valley Region.
: The aGaling Pook Award recognizes exemplary local governance programs, and San Mateo's receipt of this award supports its suitability as an agro-ecological destination.
: The proclamation was officially signed on December 1, 2008, in the City of Manila.