Administrative Order No. 10

MALACAÑAN PALACE
MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

[ ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 10, November 07, 2023 ]

CONSTITUTING A NATIONAL STEERING COMMITTEE FOR THE COMMEMORATION OF THE 650TH ANNIVERSARY OF PHILIPPINE MUSLIM HISTORY AND HERITAGE

WHEREAS, Section 17, Article II of the Constitution provides for the policy of the State to prioritize education, arts, and culture, among others, to foster patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress, and promote total human liberation and development;

WHEREAS, Republic Act (RA) No. 10086 or the "Strengthening Peoples' Nationalism Through Philippine History Act," provides the policy of the State to provide the means to strengthen people's nationalism, love of country, respect for its heroes and pride for the people's accomplishments by reinforcing the importance of Philippine national and local history in daily life with the end in view of raising social consciousness, reinvigorating government support for historical research, and sustaining and enhancing programs for the protection, preservation and conservation of historical relics and memorabilia, monuments, sites ad other historical resources;

WHEREAS, RA No. 9997 or the "National Commission on Muslim Filipinos Act of 2009," recognizes the importance of ensuring the rights and well-being of Muslim Filipinos with due regard to their beliefs, customs, traditions and institutions, as well as their contribution to national goals and aspirations, and to make them active participants in nation-building; and that by preserving and developing the culture, traditions, institutions, and well-being of Muslim Filipinos, we affirm and sustain national unity and promote progress in accordance with the laws of our country;

WHEREAS, RA No. 11054 or the "Organic Law for the Bangsamor° Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao," recognizes the justness and legitimacy of the cause of the Bangsamor° people, as well as the aspirations of Muslim Filipinos and all indigenous cultural communities in the Bangsamor° Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to secure their identity and posterity, allowing for meaningful self-governance within the framework of the Constitution and the national sovereignty as well as territorial integrity of the Republic of the Philippines;

WHEREAS, Section 24, Article XI of RA No. 11054 emphasizes the importance of preserving the history, culture, arts, traditions, and rich cultural heritage of the Bangsamor° people and their Sultanates, and for such purpose, has created the Bangsamor° Commission for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage (BCPCH), which coordinates with the appropriate and relevant national govenrment agencies to ensure the protection and promotion of the Bangsamoro's cultural legacy;

WHEREAS, scholars of Philippine Muslim History agree that the beginning of the Islamic faith in the Philippines took place between 1350 to 1380, making Islam the oldest monotheistic religion in the Philippines;

WHEREAS, the year 1380 signifies the arrival of the Islam religion in the country, which was officially recognized by the National Historical Institute, the predecessor of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, through the installation of a historical marker in 1980;

WHEREAS, the country will commemorate the 650th Anniversary of Philippine Muslim History and Heritage beginning 2024 through 2030 in recognition of the role of Muslim Filipinos in shaping Philippine history and heritage, and the staging of commemorative activities for this milestone will not only promote local and national tourism but also reignite nationalism in every Filipino, inculcate values for the common good, strengthen social cohesiveness of the community, and intensify social awareness;

WHEREAS, it is imperative to constitute a National Steering Committee that shall organize, coordinate, and synchronize programs, projects and activities for the said commemoration rites;

WHEREAS, the BARMM through NCPCH expressed its affirmation and acquiescence to the mainstreaming of the role of Muslim history and heritage in shaping Philippine culture, and conveyed its intention for its inclusion in the National Steering Committee towards the inclusive representation of the Bangsamor° Government in carrying out the National Government's commitment for the strategic implementation of programs, activities and projects for the promotion of Philippine Muslim history and heritage in the country;

WHEREAS, Section 17, Article VII of the Constitution provides that the President shall have control of all the executive departments, bureaus, and offices; and

WHEREAS, Section 2, Article V of RA No. 11054 provides that subject to Section 20, Article X of the Constitution and the Bangsamor° Organic Law, the Bangsamor° Government shall exercise authority over culture, language, libraries, museums, historical, cultural and archaeological sites, and tourism development, among others, without prejudice to the general supervision of the President.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND R. MARCOS, JR., President of the Republic of the Philippines, by the virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution and existing laws, do hereby order:

Section 1. The Situmiayat Wakhamsun Aldhikraa National Committee (SWANC). In order to facilitate the planning and implementation of programs, projects, and activities for the commemoration of the 650th Anniversary of Philippine Muslim History and Heritage, a National Steering Committee to be known as the Situmiayat Wakhamsun Aldhikraa, which is derived from the Arabic language that literally means "six hundred and fiftieth anniversary," is hereby constituted, to be composed of the following:

Chairperson : Chairman, National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP)

Co-Vice Chairpersons : Secretary, National Commission on Muslim Filipinos; and

Chairperson, Bangsamor° Commission for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage

Members : Secretary, Department of Budget and Management;

Secretary, Department of Education;

Secretary, Department of Foreign Affairs;

Secretary, Department of the Interior and Local Government;

Secretary, Department of National Defense;

Secretary, Department of Tourism; and

Secretary, Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity.

The Chairperson, Co-Vice Chairpersons and Members of the SWANC may designate their respective alternates, with the rank of Assistant Secretary or higher, who shall be fully authorized to decide for and on their behalf.

The NHCP shall serve as the Secretariat of the SWANC, and shall provide the necessary technical, administrative, and operational support to the Committee. As may be necessary, the Secretariat may be complemented by existing personnel from its member-agencies, subject to the authorization from their respective heads of agencies.

Section 2. Functions. The SWANC shall take charge of the preparations for the commemorative activities, and for this purpose, shall perform the following functions:

a. Undertake the comprehensive study, conceptualization, and implementation of programs, projects and activities relevant to the commemoration, and leverage on the significance of history, culture, and media to reinvigorate the spirit of national unity and foster international comity;

b. Act as the principal coordinator for all activities related to he commemoration including those intended to increase awareness of the 650th Anniversary of Philippine Muslin History and Heritage among Filipinos;

c. Serve as clearing house for the preparation and dissemination of all information on the programs, projects and activities related to the 650th Anniversary of Philippine Muslim History and Heritage;

d. Organize sub-committees or working groups, as may be necessary, to undertake the implementation of specific programs, projects and activities;

e. Undertake fund-raising activities, as may be necessary, to attain the objectives of this Order, subject to applicable laws, as well as budgeting, accounting, and auditing rules and regulations;

f. Call on any government agency or instrumentality, and invite private individuals and organizations, to assist in the preparation and celebration of the 650th Anniversary of Philippine Muslim History and Heritage; and

g. Perform other functions as may be directed by the President.

Section 3. Comprehensive Plan. The SWANC shall prepare a Comprehensive Plan for the commemoration of the 650th Anniversary of Philippine Muslim History and Heritage, and shall endorse the same for approval of the President, within six (6) months from the effectivity of this Order.

Section 4. Agency Support. All departments, agencies, instrumentalities, bureaus, and offices of the national government, including government-owned or -controlled corporations, govenrment financial institutions, and state universities and colleges, are hereby ordered to give full support, assistance, and cooperation to the SWANC in the implementation of this Order, in accordance with their respective mandates. The Bangsamor° Government, local government units, civil society groups and the private sector are encouraged to cooperate and participate in the commemoration of the 650th Anniversary of Philippine Muslim History and Heritage.

Section 5. Funding. The initial funding requirements necessary for the implementation of this Order shall be charged against the available appropriations of the NHCP and the participating govenrment agencies and instrumentalities, subject to existing budgeting, accounting and auditing rules and regulations. Thereafter, the funding requirements necessary for the continued implementation of this Order shall be included in the budget proposals of the NHCP and other concerned government agencies and instrumentalities, subject to the usual budget preparation process.

Section 6. Cessation. The Committee shall be functus offici° once the NHCP issues a certification/declaration confirming the completion of the liquidation and turnover of all documents and properties by the SWANC to the NHCP, or twelve (12) months from 31 December 2030, whichever occurs earlier.

Section 7. Separability. If any section or part of this Order is declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions not otherwise affected shall remain in full force and effect.1aшphi1

Section 8. Repeal. All issuances, orders, rules and regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with this Order, are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.

Section 9. Effectivity. This Order shall take effect immediately upon its publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 7th day of November, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Twenty-Three.

(Sgd.) FERDINAND R. MARCOS, JR

By the President:

(Sgd.) LUCAS P. BERSAMIN
Executive Secretary

The Lawphil Project - Arellano Law Foundation