Preamble
WHEREAS, the children and youth of this country aged below one year to twenty-four years constitute 62 percent of the entire population; WHEREAS, the Constitution of the Philippines provides that the "State recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-building and shall promote their physical, intellectual and social well-being.'' WHEREAS, the child and youth welfare code, Presidential Decree 603 as amended,' declares that the "Child is one of the most important assets of the nation" and that every effort is being exerted today to promote his survival and development and enhance his opportunities for a useful and happy life; WHEREAS, the decade of the Filipino child covering the period of 1977 to 1987 has resulted in the overall improvement of the quality of life of Filipino children and youth below 25 years through significant changes in and the reduction of the effect of serious problems affecting the young in mortality, morbidity, malnutrition, illiteracy, ignorance, ill-effects of poverty, disability, delinquency including drug and child abuse, and disadvantage due to the under-development of communities in which they live; and WHEREAS, the 1985 is the United Nations International Year of Youth (IYY) and that the Philippines has appropriately observed this year with actions and services that implement the theme of IYY of "Participation, Development Peace". NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution, do hereby decree as follows: