President Duterte has designated Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea as the chairman of a committee that will spearhead the “Filipino-centric” and “transformative” quincentennial commemorations in the Philippines next year.
The designation of the Executive Secretary is contained in Executive Order No. 103 issued by the President that reconstituted and strengthened the national quincentennial committee.
The country is set to mark the 500th anniversary of its role in the first circumnavigation of the world, the victory of Lapu-Lapu in the Battle of Mactan, and other historic events from 1519 to 1522. These events are collectively known as the “2021 Quincentennial Commemorations in the Philippines.”
In EO 103, the President has assigned the National Historical Commission of the Philippines as vice chairperson and executive director of the committee.
The members include the Secretaries of Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Tourism, Department of Budget and Management, Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Education, and Department of National Defense, Presidential Communications Operations Office, National Commission for Culture and the Arts chairman, and Presidential Adviser for the Visayas.
The latest presidential issuance amended EO 55 that created the committee in 2018.
With an initial budget of P10 million, the committee has been directed to prepare a comprehensive plan for the quincentennial celebration that seeks promote tourism and highlight the country’s rich cultural and religious heritage. (Genalyn Kabiling)
