QuestionsQuestions (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 40-A)
Executive Order No. 40-A was issued by President Ramon Magsaysay pursuant to powers vested by law, to provide official recognition to Filipino citizens, resident foreigners, and other friends of the Filipino people who rendered distinguished services or gave noteworthy monetary or other material aid and encouragement to improve the social, economic, and moral conditions of the masses.
Any individual, organization, or entity, either in the Philippines or abroad, including Filipino citizens, resident foreigners, and other friends of the Filipino people.
The recipient must have rendered meritorious and distinguished services or contributed noteworthy monetary or other material aid and encouragement to the campaign for amelioration and improvement of the moral, social, and economic conditions of the masses, especially in rural areas.
No. Section 4 states the award is not limited to those giving large financial or other material contributions, since other forms of aid representing equal or greater sacrifice may also be considered.
No. Section 1 expressly provides that the award may be presented to any individual, organization, or entity either here or abroad.
The campaign is for the amelioration and improvement of the moral, social, and economic conditions of the masses, especially in rural areas.
The obverse shows two outstretched hands offering to the people a golden heart. Below are the motto and theme: “MANUM TUAM APERVIT INOPE” (a brief Latin interpretation of Proverbs 31:20). Surrounding the design is the legend: “THE GOLDEN HEART PRESIDENTIAL AWARD.”
The motto/theme is “MANUM TUAM APERVIT INOPE,” described as a brief four-word Latin interpretation of Proverbs 31:20: “She hath opened her heart to the needy and stretched forth her hands to the poor.”
The reverse bears the Presidential Seal surrounded by a plain border, on which the recipient’s name may be engraved.
For individual awards, the medal and ribbon will be presented.
For organizations or entities, a simple narra plaque is given, on which the obverse and reverse of the medal will be placed.
The medal should be of bronze gilded and of little intrinsic value, but should be something valued and honored as an heirloom for recipients to pass on to successors.
Until Congress sets aside an appropriation for the award, it shall be paid for from the President of the Philippines’ discretionary fund.
It indicates that congressional appropriation is required eventually; prior to that, the EO authorizes temporary payment from the President’s discretionary fund.
The EO provides for the award, but explicitly limits funding by stating that until Congress appropriates funds, payment comes from the President’s discretionary fund—implying that full, sustained funding depends on congressional appropriation.
It is Executive Order No. 40-A, dated June 21, 1954, issued in the City of Manila, and signed by President Ramon Magsaysay with Fred Ruiz Castro as Executive Secretary.