Constituting a Steering Committee to Commemorate the Quincentennial of Historic Events that Happened from 1519 to 1522

May 8, 2018

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 55

CONSTITUTING A STEERING COMMITTEE FOR THE COMMEMORATION OF THE QUINCENTENNIAL OF THE ARRIVAL OF FERDINAND MAGELLAN IN THE PHILIPPINES, THE VICTORY OF LAPU-LAPU IN THE BATTLE OF MACTAN, AND OTHER HISTORIC EVENTS THAT HAPPENED FROM 1519 TO 1522

WHEREAS, pursuant to Republic Act No. 10086 or the "Strengthening People's Nationalism Through Philippine History Act," the State shall provide the means to strengthen people's nationalism, love of country, respect for its heroes and pride for the people's accomplishments by reinforcing the importance of Philippine national and local history in daily life with the end view of raising social consciousness;

WHEREAS, various entities have been proposing to the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) the conduct of certain activities for the commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the arrival of Ferdinand Magellan in the Philippines, the celebration of the first mass in the Philippines, the circumnavigation of the globe by Ferdinand Magellan-Juan Sebastian Elcano from 1519 to 1522, the victory of Lapu-Lapu in the Battle of Mactan, and other events associated thereto;

WHEREAS, the staging of commemorative activities in the Philippines for the quincentennial celebration will promote tourism and highlight our rich cultural and religious heritage as a nation;

WHEREAS, there is a need to systematically organize, coordinate and synchronize the commemoration of the quincentennial of the arrival of Ferdinand Magellan in the Philippines and other historic events that happened from 1519 to 1522 in different localities and in other countries where Magellan's voyage made landfall, by creating a committee that shall take charge of the preparations for the said commemoration in the Philippines;

WHEREAS, Article VII, Section 17 of the 1987 Constitution provides that the President shall have control of all the executive departments, bureaus and offices;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution and existing laws, do hereby order:

SECTION 1. The National Quincentennial Committee. — A steering committee for the commemoration of the quincentennial of the arrival of Ferdinand Magellan in the Philippines, the victory of Lapu-Lapu in the Battle of Mactan, and other historic events from 1519 to 1522 is hereby created, to be known as the National Quincentennial Committee.

SECTION 2. Composition. — The National Quincentennial Committee shall be constituted as follows:

a. Chairperson, to be appointed by the President;

b. NHCP, as Vice Chairperson;

c. Department of Foreign Affairs;

d. Department of the Interior and Local Government;

e. Department of Tourism;

f. Department of Budget and Management; and

g. Other members from the government and the private sector, as may be designated by the President, upon recommendation of the Committee.

SECTION 3. Functions. — The Committee shall take charge of the preparations for the commemoration, and for this purpose, shall have the following functions:

(a) Undertake the overall study, conceptualization, and implementation of programs and projects relevant to the commemoration and which makes use of history, culture, and media for the purpose of reinvigorating the spirit of national unity and international comity;

(b) Act as the principal coordinator for all activities related to the quincentennial commemoration, including those intended to increase awareness of the quincentennial among Filipinos;

(c) Serve as the clearing house for the preparation and dissemination of all information about the plans and activities for the quincentennial of Magellan's arrival and its associated events;

(d) Constitute working groups which shall undertake the implementation of the programs and projects;

(e) Prioritize the refurbishment of historical sites and structures associated with the quincentennial;

(f) Receive donations for the purpose of achieving the objectives of this Order, subject to applicable laws, rules and regulations; and

(g) Call upon any government agency or instrumentality, and invite private individuals and organizations, including overseas or international entities, to assist in the performance of its functions.

SECTION 4. Secretariat. — The Committee shall be provided with technical and administrative staff support by a Secretariat to be constituted by the NHCP.

SECTION 5. Funding. — The Committee shall be funded with an initial budget of Ten Million Pesos (P10,000,000.00) to be drawn from the Contingent Fund. Appropriations for succeeding years shall be incorporated in the budget proposal of the NHCP. DETACa

SECTION 6. Comprehensive Plan. — The Committee shall prepare, for approval of the President, a Comprehensive Plan for the Quincentennial Commemoration within six (6) months from the effectivity of this Order.

SECTION 7. Sunset Provision. — The Committee shall be an ad hoc body and its existence shall terminate on September 2022.

SECTION 8. Separability. — If any section or part of this Order is held unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions not otherwise affected shall remain in full force or effect.

SECTION 9. Repeal. — All executive issuances inconsistent with this Order are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.

SECTION 10. Effectivity. — This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 8th day of May, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Eighteen.

 

Published in the Official Gazette, Vol. 114, No. 21, p. 3703 on May 21, 2018.