MALACAÑANG

Manila

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

PROCLAMATION NO. 371

DECLARING MAY 1-7, 1994 AS VOLUNTARY ARBITRATION WEEK

WHEREAS, the Constitution of the Philippines in Article XIII – Social Justice and Human Rights – Section 3, paragraph 3 recognizes voluntary arbitration and encourages the “preferential use of voluntary modes in settling disputes;

WHEREAS, there is a need to create broader consciousness of voluntary arbitration as the better alternative to strikes and lockouts;

WHEREAS, one main attraction to foreign investments of neighboring countries such as People’s Republic of China and Vietnam is the absence of strikes and lockout;

WHEREAS, voluntary arbitration is more responsive to the challenge of global competitiveness and rapidly changing international business environment;

WHEREAS, voluntary arbitration is the better alternative to realize the Vision of Philippines 2000 in the sector of labor-management relations;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FIDEL V. RAMOS, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby declare May 1-7, 1994 as Voluntary Arbitration Week.

Done in the City of Manila, this 1

st

day of May in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and ninety-four.

(Sgd.)

FIDEL V. RAMOS

By the President:

(Sgd.) TEOFISTO T. GUINGONA, JR.