Preamble
WHEREAS, the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines known as Republic Act No. 1937 has been amended by several Presidential Decrees dating back to the year 1972; WHEREAS, there exist in the said Code a substantial number of provisions rendered obsolete by subsequent issuances of amendatory laws, decrees and executive orders thereby making it imperative to consolidate, codify and integrate such amendatory laws, decrees and executive orders to harmonize their provisions for the proper guidance of the public and efficient administration thereof; WHEREAS, there likewise exist in the said Code certain provisions which are impractical in application, thus, necessitating revision in order to infuse flexibility, keep pace with the changing needs and demands of trade and commerce as well as strengthen the punitive force of the law against smuggling and other forms of customs fraud. NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers in me vested by the Constitution, do hereby order and decree as follows: