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MALACAÑAN PALACE
MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

[ PROCLAMATION NO. 963, July 04, 2025 ]

DECLARING THE PERIOD OF 25 JUNE 2025 TO 24 JUNE 2026 AS THE CENTENNIAL YEAR OF MANLILIKHA NG BAYAN HAJA AMINA APPI

WHEREAS, Section 15, Article XIV of the Constitution provides that the State shall conserve, promote, and popularize the nation's historical and cultural heritage and resources, as well as artistic creations;

WHEREAS, Section 2 of Republic Act (RA) No. 7355 or the "Manlilika ng Bayan Act" declares it a policy of the State to preserve and promote the country's traditional folk arts, whether visual, performing or literary, for the cultural value, and to honor and support traditional folk artists for their contribution to the national heritage;

WHEREAS, Section 12(a), Title II of RA No. 7356 or the "Law Creating the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA)" mandates the NCCA to extend recognition of artistic achievement through awards, grants, and services to artists and cultural groups which contribute significantly to the Filipino's cultural legacy;

WHEREAS, 25 June 2024 marks the centennial year of Manlilikha ng Bayan Haja Amina Appi, a mat weaving virtuoso from the Sama cultural community;

WHEREAS, the NCCA, through the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan Executive Council, has recommended the declaration of the Centennial Year of Haja Amina Appi to promote genuine appreciation among Filipinos of the valuable and intangible cultural distinction of the Manlilikha ng Bayan; and

WHEREAS, Section 17, Article VII of the Constitution vests in the President the power of control over all the Executive departments, bureaus and offices, and the mandate to ensure the faithful execution of laws;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND R. MARCOS, JR., President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution and existing laws, do hereby declare the period from 25 June 2025 to 24 June 2026 as the "Centennial Year of Manlilikha ng Bayan Haja Amina Appi."

For this purpose, the NCCA is hereby directed to lead, coordinate, and supervise the observance of the Centennial Year of Manlilikha ng Bayan Haja Amina Appi and identity programs, activities and projects for the celebration thereof.ℒαwρhi৷

All agencies and instrumentalities of the National Government, including government-owned or -controlled corporations, state universities and colleges, are hereby directed, and all local government units, non-government organizations and the private sector are hereby encouraged, to render the necessary support and assistance to the NCCA, and to actively participate in the observance of the Centennial Year of Manlilikha ng Bayan Haja Amina Appi.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Republic of the President to be affixed.

DONE, in the City of Manila, this 4th day of July, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Twenty-Five.

(Sgd.) FERDINAND R. MARCOS, JR.

By the President:

(Sgd.) LUCAS P. BERSAMIN
Executive Secretary

The Lawphil Project - Arellano Law Foundation

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