Preamble
WHEREAS, the Constitution of the Philippines directs the State to establish and maintain a complete, adequate, and integrated system of education relevant to the goals of national development and prescribes that all educational institutions shall aim to develop scientific, technological and vocational efficiency; WHEREAS, under Presidential Decree No. 6-A otherwise known as the Educational Development Decree of 1972, promulgated on September 29, 1972, it had been declared a policy of the government to reorient the educational system toward an accelerated national economic growth and meaningful social development; WHEREAS, the province of Basilan in Western Mindanao is endowed with rich natural resources the exploitation, utilization, and conservation of which will certainly accelerate its development, thereby contributing immensely to the economic growth of the region, in particular, and of the country, in general; WHEREAS, an adequate system of public education at the tertiary level is believed to be an effective instrument of the New Society in facilitating the socio-economic upliftment of the people of that province, and in effecting a more equitable sharing of the country's wealth and income that will ultimately make them productive, progressive, and dignified citizens; WHEREAS, the establishment of the Basilan State College will, likewise, relieve the city of Zamboanga from congestion and other concomitant problems arising from over-population, such as housing, sanitations, transportation, and peace and order; WHEREAS, the establishment of the Basilan State College will, in the ultimate analysis, serve as an instrument for the promotion of the socio-economic advancement of the various cultural communities inhabiting therein; NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution, do hereby order and decree: