Participation in the Observance of the International Humanitarian Law Day on August 12, 2007

August 10, 2007

MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 138

DIRECTING ALL CABINET MEMBERS AND HEADS OF GOVERNMENT-OWNED AND CONTROLLED CORPORATIONS TO ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE IN ACTIVITIES RELATIVE TO THE OBSERVANCE OF INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW (IHL) DAY THIS AUGUST 12, 2007

The Office of the President issued Executive Order (EO) 134 in 1999 declaring August 12 as IHL Day to commemorate the signing of the 1949 Geneva Convention. In addition, one of the thrusts of the Government is to sustain institutional and popular support and participation in building a culture of peace in the country. Therefore, the theme for this year's observance shall be "Together for Humanity; Together for Peace".

Relative thereto, all Cabinet Members and Heads of Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations are hereby directed to actively participate in the nationwide observance of IHL Day, both at the central and at the regional/field levels. In particular, you are directed to undertake any or a combination of the following:

1. Mobilize personnel to actively participate in the "Walk for Humanity, Walk for Peace"' on August 11, 2007 at the Quezon Memorial Circle to start at 5:00 in the morning;

2. Placing of streamer(s) at conspicuous areas in respective offices (please refer to attached design, referred to as Annex "A", and made an integral part hereof);

3. Holding IHL seminars and symposia to discuss the importance of IHL; and

4. Provide other support that may be needed to make the celebration more meaningful;

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Department of National Defense (DND) with the support of the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) shall undertake the necessary coordination nationwide on the participation of government agencies. cTDECH

The DFA, the Chair of this year's observance, is also directed to submit a report to the President on the activities organized this August 2007 relative to IHL Day including the participation of government agencies, through the Executive Secretary, copy furnished the Office of the Presidential Chief of Staff.

SO ORDERED.

Manila, Philippines, August 10, 2007.