Duterte directs reconstitution of National Quincentennial Committee

February 6, 2020

President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the reconstitution and strengthening of a committee responsible in preparing for the quincentennial commemoration in the Philippines next year.

Executive Order No. 103, which the President signed on January 28, said the National Quincentennial Committee is chaired by the Executive Secretary with the National Historical Commission of the Philippines chairperson as the vice-chairperson and executive director.

The members include the secretaries of the Departments of Foreign Affairs, Tourism, Budget and Management, Interior and Local Government, Public Works and Highways, Education, and National Defense; Presidential Communications Operations Office; chairperson of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts; and Presidential Adviser for the Visayas.

The NQC shall act as the principal coordinator for all the activities related to the 2021 Quincentennial Commemorations in the Philippines

"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," the EO said.

With this, the Duterte said all government initiatives relation to the 2021 QCP must be "Filipino-centric," "multidisciplinary," and "communicative and transformative."

"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 said.

The NHCP will shoulder the necessary funding requirement for the implementation of the order, and as may be necessary, from Contingent Fund also. Thereafter, subsequent funding requirements would be included in the budget proposal of the NHCP, subject to the usual budget preparation process, the EO said.

The Committee would cease to exist after the liquidation and turnover of all documents and properties to the NHCP, or 12 months from Dec. 31, 2021, whichever is earlier. 

The Order shall take effect immediately. Celerina Monte/DMS