Proclamation No. 439, s. 2003

MALACANANG Manila JUFN // BOF

PMS LIBRARY BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

PROCLAMATION NO. 439

DECLARING THE MONTH OF MAY OF EVERY YEAR AS WATIONAL HERITAGE MONTH ow WHEREAS, Article XVI, Section 15, of the Constitution states that: "7he

State shall conserve, promote and popularize the nation’s historical cultural

heritage and resources”;

WHEREAS, Republic Act No. 7365, Section 12, mandates the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).to conserve and promote the nation’s cultural and historical heritage;

WHEREAS, there is a need to create in the people a consciousness, respect and love for the legacies of Filipino cultural history and to raise material support for the protection of tangible and intangible heritage;

WHEREAS, there is a need to strengthen the people’s awareness of cultural heritage sites, structures and landscapes, and encourage their participation in the preservation of these cultural legacies through various activities such as performing arts at these sites and/or visual art and fashion exhibits, thematic culinary events, as well as popular folk food fairs, design retrospectives and competitions, media and literary events, and homage to living traditions and intangible heritage;

WHEREAS, the need to project and promote, and celebrate our people’s multi-cultural traditions our indigenous people’s cultures; our Muslim, Filipino- Chinese brothers’ traditions and heritages is likewise recognized;

WHEREAS, the month of May is by traditions the month when most fiestas, festivals, and other indigenous activities are celebrated throughout the Philippines; and

WHEREAS, in recognition of the above and in the spirit of giving emphasis to the symbol of May as the month of traditional festivities and the month of the people’s participation in the preservation of tangible and intangible heritage as part of the life of a nation.

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NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby declare the month of May of every year as National Heritage Month.

All agencies of the government are hereby enjoined to undertake activities in accordance with the spirit of this proclamation. The Commission for Culture and the Arts is hereby tasked to be the lead agency in carrying out such activities. |

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 [ITH day of Avgust | in the year of

Our Lord, Two Thousand and Three.

By the President:

y. BL

ALBERTO G. ROMULO

Executive Secretary wll Il ST

RARY BCODE00967

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