Preamble
WHEREAS, there were pending before Congress prior to the promulgation of Proclamation No. 1081, dated September 21, 1972, urgent banking measures proposing amendments to Republic Act No. 720, as amended, entitled "The Rural Banks' Act" which are essential to the national development program of the Government; WHEREAS, an extensive survey and study of the banking and credit system had been undertaken for the purposes of assessing its adequacy in Philippine economic growth, and of facilitating the savings-investment process in development; and WHEREAS, the result of the survey was an integrated set of recommendations which were accepted, with modifications by the monetary authorities, and made the basis of this Decree to enable rural banks to service the credit needs of small farmers and merchants in rural communities more effectively; NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers in me vested by the Constitution as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and pursuant to Proclamation No. 1081, dated September 21, 1972, and General Order No. 1, dated September 22, 1972, as amended, and in order to effect the desired changes and reforms in the social, economic, and political structure of our society, do hereby order and decree the amendment of Republic Act No. 720, as amended, as follows: