Directing the Secretary of National Defense to Lead the Observance of Araw ng Kagitingan and Philippine Veterans Week

March 2, 2009

MEMORANDUM ORDER NO. 298

DIRECTING THE SECRETARY OF NATIONAL DEFENSE TO LEAD THE 2009 OBSERVANCE OF ARAW NG KAGITINGAN AND THE PHILIPPINE VETERANS WEEK

WHEREAS, Executive Order No. 203, Series of 1987, declared April 9 of every year as a regular holiday for the observance of Araw ng Kagitingan;

WHEREAS, Proclamation No. 466, Series of 1989, designated the period from April 5 to 11 of every year as Philippine Veterans Week, in order to promote, preserve, and memorialize the principles, ideals and deeds of our war veterans as a means to enhance patriotism and love of country, especially among the youth of the land; EATcHD

WHEREAS, the observance of the said events through meaningful activities is appropriate.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order:

SECTION 1. The Secretary of National Defense shall lead the observance of the 2009 Araw ng Kagitingan and the Philippine Veterans Week.

SECTION 2. The Secretary of National Defense may call on any agency or instrumentality of the government, including government-owned and controlled corporations, and to invite any private individual or non-government organization for assistance as he may need in the discharge of his functions for the duration of the celebration. All such government agencies and private individuals or organizations are enjoined to cooperate with the Secretary of National Defense to ensure success in the commemoration of these important events.

SECTION 3. The allocation of THREE MILLION PESOS (Php3,000,000.00) from the Fiscal Year 2008 re-enacted budget or from the FY 2009 authorized appropriation of the Military Shrines Service for Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE), whichever is appropriate and available, is hereby allocated for the operating expenses for the preparation and conduct of the activities of the observance of Araw ng Kagitingan and the Philippine Veterans Week.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 2nd day of March, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Nine.