QuestionsQuestions (GENERAL ORDER NO. 15)
It was issued by President Ferdinand E. Marcos as Commander-in-Chief under Proclamation No. 1081 (Sept. 21, 1972), and pursuant to General Order No. 1 (Sept. 22, 1972), invoking powers vested in him by the Constitution.
To support the objectives of Proclamation No. 1081 by promoting discipline and social conscience, and to conserve scarce national resources through limiting extravagance and ostentatious display during an emergency.
Article 25 of the Civil Code (R.A. 386) is cited; it enjoins against thoughtless extravagance in expenses for pleasure or display during a period of emergency.
Every resident and citizen, including elective local officials from provincial governors and city mayors down to barrio captains and councilmen.
Ostentatious display of wealth and extravagance, including lavish town fiestas or social gatherings.
It directs that town fiestas and other local festivities be limited to one day, and should be as simple and economical as possible.
It addresses both: it calls for avoiding and preventing ostentatious display of wealth and extravagance, and not just lavish fiestas.
It frames the restriction on fiestas and extravagance as part of achieving a reformed society infused with discipline and social conscience, aligned with the emergency conservation rationale.
They are enjoined to comply with and to enforce the Order, effectively making them responsible for ensuring the restrictions are followed in their jurisdictions.
Because resources are scarce and the country is in a period of emergency, the Order urges economizing and avoiding thoughtless extravagance.
It treats them together by directing that both 'town fiestas' and 'other local festivities' be limited to one day and be simple and economical.
It was done in the City of Manila on October 5, 1972.
It implies both personal avoidance by citizens/residents and preventive actions by officials responsible for enforcement—i.e., stopping extravagance and enforcing compliance.
It states it is issued 'by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution as Commander-in-Chief of all the Armed Forces of the Philippines.'
The directives to avoid and prevent ostentatious display and extravagance, the requirement to limit festivities to one day, and the duty of local executives to enforce compliance.