Preamble
WHEREAS, Presidential Decree No. 264, dated August 2, 1073 was designed and intended principally to rehabilitate, develop, expand and promote the socio-economic conditions of the economically depressed provinces of Mindanao, particularly in the Muslim provinces of North Cotabato, Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Zamboanga del Norte, and Zamboanga del Sur, and to provide more opportunities and incentives to the Muslim citizens of the Philippines, m actively and sincerely participating and getting involved m community development and nation-building; WHEREAS, in order to render more effective the foregoing intentions and objectives of this Decree, it is necessary that the religious beliefs and practices of the Muslim citizens of the Philippines, be followed and respected, unless otherwise it is contrary to law, good morals and public policy. NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution, do hereby amend Presidential Decree No. 264, as follows: