Question & AnswerQ&A (PROCLAMATION NO. 501)
Proclamation No. 501 declares the third Wednesday of November of every year as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Awareness Day in the Philippines.
Proclamation No. 501 was signed on November 17, 2003.
Proclamation No. 501 refers to Proclamation No. 263, dated September 23, 2002, which declared October as COPD Awareness Month.
The purpose is to raise national awareness about the growing prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other chronic lung diseases that are among the top ten causes of mortality in the Philippines.
Proclamation No. 501 aligns with the international celebration of "COPD Day" held every third Wednesday of November.
The Department of Health, the Philippine College of Chest Physicians and its allied organizations, other government agencies, instrumentalities, and concerned organizations both in government and private sectors are called upon to support the programs and activities.
The President issues Proclamation No. 501 by virtue of the powers vested in her by law.
No, Proclamation No. 501 is an executive proclamation issued by the President, not an act of the legislature.
The third Wednesday of November is designated as COPD Awareness Day each year to intensify public awareness and education on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.