Duterte reconstitutes panel preparing PH quincentennial celebration
Credit to Author: Catherine S. Valente, TMT| Date: Thu, 06 Feb 2020 04:51:54 +0000
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the reconstitution of the inter-agency committee in-charge of the preparations for the 2021 quincentennial commemoration in the Philippines.
Duterte signed Executive Order (EO) 103 on January 28, reconstituting and strengthening the National Quincentennial Committee, which was created to serve as the coordinator and clearing house of all government initiatives for the 500th anniversary of the role of the Philippines in the first circumnavigation of the world, the victory of Lapulapu in the Battle of Mactan, and other events, collectively known as the 2021 Quincentennial Commemorations in the Philippines (2021 QCP).
“The Committee espouses a Filipino-centric point of view of the first circumnavigation of the world, by underscoring the magnanimity, compassion, and humanity of our ancestors in helping the impoverished crew of the expedition that traversed the Pacific ocean, and the courage of the warrior in Mactan, which continue to serve as inspiration to our heroes and martyrs up to this day,” Duterte said in his order.
“The 2021 QCP aims to promote local and national tourism, reignite the nationalism of every Filipino, inculcate values for the common good, strengthen social cohesiveness of the community, intensify social awareness, and foster the Filipino creativity and innovation for the country’s socio-economic growth,” he added.
Under EO 103, Duterte designated Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea as chairman of the National Quincentennial Committee and National Historical Commission of the Philippines Chairman Rene Escalante as the vice-chairman and executive director.
Members of the committee include the secretaries of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Tourism, Department of Budget and Management, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Education, Department of National Defense, and Presidential Communications Operations Office; chairperson of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, and the Presidential Adviser for the Visayas.
The President directed the committee to undertake the overall study, conceptualization, and implementation of relevant programs and projects on diplomatic concerns, history, culture, and the arts, academic affairs, science, environment and agriculture, socio-civic participations, volunteer and partner mobilization, military participation, and infrastructure.
The committee was also tasked to serve as clearing house for the preparation and dissemination of all information on the programs, activities, and projects for the 2021 QCP; constitute sub-committees or working groups to undertake the implementation of programs, activities, and projects; and undertake fundraising activities to attain the objectives of this order.
It was also ordered to call on any government agency or instrumentality, and invite private individuals and organizations, including overseas or international entities, to assist in the QCP preparation and celebration, and cry out such other functions as may be directed by the President.
“The 2021 QCP is a historical event that seeks to reinvigorate the sense of nationalism of every Filipino through the commemoration of our ancestors’ heroism, humanity and significant contribution to the first circumnavigation of the world,” Duterte said.
“Relative thereto, the committee shall come up with an appropriate QCP branding or logo that will reflect and depict the heroism of Lapulapu in the Battle of Mactan, as well as highlight the 500th anniversary of the role of Filipinos in the first circumnavigation of the world,” he added.
EO 103, which was released by Malacañang on Thursday, takes effect immediately.