WHEREAS, the ninth day of April, 1957, which marks the fifteenth anniversary of the Fall of Bataan, has become a shining symbol of courage and heroism to all freedom-loving peoples of the world, and has strengthened the everlasting bonds of friendship and cooperation between the Philippines and the United States; and

WHEREAS, the commemoration of the Fall of Bataan is a fitting homage to the heroism of Filipino and American forces who fought side by side against overwhelming odds in the epic struggle for democracy and freedom;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Carlos P. Garcia, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby proclaim Tuesday, April 9, 1957, as Bataan Day and declared special public holiday throughout the Philippines. I call upon all public officials and citizens of the Philippines, and invite all American nationals residing in this country, to observe the day with a one-minute silence at 4:30 o’clock in the afternoon of that day, and to hold appropriate religious rites in honor of the heroic defenders of Bataan.

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 26th day of March, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and fifty-seven, and of the Independence of the Philippines the eleventh.  


By the President:

FORTUNATO DE LEON
Executive Secretary