Declaring 2021 as the "Year of Filipino Pre-Colonial Ancestors" and 27 April 2021 as a Special (Working) Day in the Country

April 8, 2021

PROCLAMATION NO. 1128

DECLARING 2021 AS THE "YEAR OF FILIPINO PRE-COLONIAL ANCESTORS" AND 27 APRIL 2021 AS A SPECIAL (WORKING) DAY IN THE COUNTRY

WHEREAS, Section 15, Article XIV of the Constitution provides that the State shall conserve, promote and popularize the nation's cultural and historical heritage and resources, as well as its artistic creations;

WHEREAS, Section 2 of Republic Act No. 10086 or the "Strengthening Peoples' Nationalism Through Philippine History Act," provides that the State shall provide the means to strengthen the Filipino 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, 27 April 2021 marks the quincentennial of the victory of Lapulapu in the Battle of Mactan, while the period between 16 March 2021 and 28 October 2021 is the 500th anniversary of the Philippines' participation in the first circumnavigation of the world, which was an achievement in science and of humankind; and

WHEREAS, the commemoration of these milestones in our rich history shall strengthen our national pride, and serve as a platform to educate our fellowmen and the whole world of the noble deeds and ideals of our ancestors;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution and existing laws, do hereby declare 2021 as the "Year of Filipino Pre-Colonial Ancestors," and 27 April 2021 as a special (working) day throughout the country in celebration of the quincentennial of the victory of Lapulapu in the Battle of Mactan.

As part of the 2021 Quincentennial Commemorations in the Philippines, the National Quincentennial Committee (NQC) shall lead, coordinate and supervise the nationwide observance of the Year of Filipino Pre-Colonial Ancestors.

All other agencies and instrumentalities of the National Government, including government-owned or -controlled corporations and state universities and colleges, are hereby directed, and all local government units, as well as the private sector, are hereby encouraged, to support and assist the NQC in the effective implementation of this Proclamation.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Republic of the Philippines to be affixed.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 8th day of April, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Twenty-One.

 

Published in the Official Gazette, Vol. 117, No. 17, p. 4792 on April 26, 2021.