Declaration of Virgilio S. Almario as National Artist

Proclamation No. 386 is issued pursuant to Proclamation No. 1001 dated April 27, 1972, which created the National Artist category.
Proclamation No. 386 is issued considering Proclamation No. 1144 dated May 15, 1973.
Proclamation No. 386 is issued considering Presidential Decree No. 208 dated June 7, 1973.
Proclamation No. 386 is issued in relation to Section 20, Chapter 7, Title I, Book III of Executive Order No. 292, also known as the Administrative Code of 1987.
The recommendation for the declaration comes from the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.
The proclamation’s issuance is tied to the President’s authority under the Constitution and existing laws.

The Constitution provides State patronage of arts and letters, which supports the National Artist program.
The National Artist category exists to recognize achievements that enhance Filipino cultural heritage.
The National Artist recognition advances the government policy of preserving and developing Filipino culture and promoting a national identity.
The proclamation states that the honored works and achievements reflect preeminent excellence and national genius.

Virgilio S. Almario (a.k.a. Rio Alma) is declared a National Artist for 2003.
The declaration covers the individual’s recognized contribution in the field of Literature.
The proclamation identifies a.k.a. Rio Alma as the alternate name used for the National Artist designation.

The President does hereby declare Virgilio S. Almario (a.k.a. Rio Alma) as National Artist for 2003.
The declaration is made upon recommendation of the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.
The declaration is expressly made pursuant to Proclamation No. 1001, as amended by Proclamation No. 1144, and in connection with Presidential Decree No. 208.
The declaration is expressly made in relation to Section 20, Chapter 7, Title I, Book III of Executive Order No. 292 (Administrative Code of 1987).

The proclamation is signed by Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, as President of the Republic of the Philippines.
The proclamation is attested by Alberto G. Romulo, as Executive Secretary.
The proclamation states that the President caused the seal of the Republic of the Philippines to be affixed.

The proclamation is done in the City of Manila.
The proclamation is executed on May 26, 2003 (“this 26th day of May in the year of our Lord Two Thousand and Three”).