Malacañang orders gov’t agencies to join 127th Independence celebrations

Malacañang Palace issued Memorandum Circular No. 77, directing government agencies, including government-owned or controlled corporations (GOCCs), to participate in the 127th Independence Anniversary of the Philippines.

"All government agencies and instrumentalities, including government-owned or -controlled corporations, are hereby directed, and all local government units and the private sector are encouraged, to extend full support and cooperation to the conduct of programs and activities in relation to the commemoration of the 127th Philippine Independence," the circular stated. 

The document, dated 13 February, was signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin by the authority of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. It was released to the public on Wednesday, 19 February.

According to the circular, festivities related to the commemoration of Philippine Independence will be celebrated from 18 May to 12 June.

It added that the commemoration of the 127th Anniversary of Philippine Independence is also a celebration of “the freedom fought for by our forefathers, the future that they dreamt for the nation, and the history we aim to remember and honor.”

In 2011, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) was designated as the lead agency to lead the Steering Committee on National Observances, which is mandated to plan, organize, and undertake the commemoration of select historical events, including Philippine Independence Day.

The NHCP was also tasked to facilitate the planning and execution of programs and projects for the 125th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence from 2023 to 2026.

Philippine Independence Day is commemorated every 12 June. It was first proclaimed by Emilio Aguinaldo in 1898 in Kawit, Cavite.