MALACAÑAN PALACE

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

PROCLAMATION NO. 285

DECLARING THE PERIOD FROM 05 AUGUST 2012 TO 04 AUGUST 2013 AS THE CENTENNIAL YEAR OF NATIONAL ARTIST FOR LITERATURE, JOSE GARCIA VILLA

WHEREAS, the Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines provides for patronage of arts and letters by the State;

WHEREAS, the category of National Artist was created under Proclamation No. 1001 (s. 1972);

WHEREAS, preeminent achievements that have enhanced the cultural heritage of the Filipino people deserve the recognition and acknowledgment of our Government in pursuit of its policy of preserving and developing the Filipino culture and a national identity; and,

WHEREAS, the works and achievements of National Artist for Literature, Jose Garcia Villa, are reflective of this preeminent excellence and of the national genius that contributed to the national heritage of the Philippines and the world.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BENIGNO S. AQUINO III, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution and existing laws, upon the recommendation of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), do hereby declare the period from 05 August 2012 to 04 August 2013 as the Centennial Year of National Artist for Literature, Jose Garcia Villa, and enjoin the NCCA and CCP to be the lead agencies in the celebration of his centennial birthday in coordination with other government agencies.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Republic of the Philippines to be affixed.

DONE, in the City of Manila, this 8th day of November, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Eleven.

(Sgd.) BENIGNO S. AQUINO III

By the President:

(Sgd.) PAQUITO N. OCHOA, JR.

Executive Secretary