Preamble
WHEREAS, the importance of the Foreign Service as the major instrument of the Government in the protection and advancement of the country's interest abroad has greatly-increased, especially at this time when the government is particularly engaged in development diplomacy; WHEREAS, it is necessary that personnel of the Foreign Service be provided with adequate financial means to be able to represent the country not only effectively but also in a manner worthy of the esteem and respect of the country to which they are accredited; WHEREAS, the tremendous rise in the cost of living resulting from the worldwide economic inflation and the recent energy crisis has considerably reduced the value of the present salaries of Foreign Service personnel; NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution, do hereby decree as follows: