spot_img
27.7 C
Philippines
Friday, March 29, 2024

National Press Freedom set every August 30

- Advertisement -

August 30 of every year is now called “National Press Freedom Day”—but a working holiday if it does not fall on a Sunday.

Under Republic Act 11699 signed April 13 by President Rodrigo Duterte, August 30 each year is declared National Press Freedom Day in honor of Marcelo H. del Pilar, the father of Philippine journalism.

Del Pilar, who wrote under the pen name “Plaridel,” was born on August 30, 1890 in Bulacan and died on July 4, 1896 in Barcelona, Spain.

To ensure the “meaningful observance and celebration” of National Press Freedom Day, all government agencies and instrumentalities, as well as the private sector, are directed to engage and participate in any related activity to be conducted on the premises of their respective offices or establishments.

The directive covers the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police, government-owned and -controlled corporations, and the local government units.

- Advertisement -

RA 11699, a copy of which was released Wednesday by Malacañang, mandates the Department of Education, the Commission on Higher Education, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority to lead public and private schools at all levels in organizing consciousness-raising activities on the importance of the press and their rights and social responsibilities.

DepEd, CHED, and TESDA are also tasked to ensure that the elimination of all forms of violence against the press will also be taught.

The three departments must consult the Office of the President, government, and private media organizations with regard to the holding of activities related to the observance of National Press Freedom Day.

Meanwhile, Duterte also signed two more laws creating the Office of the Judiciary Marshals and the Metropolitan Davao Development Authority.

RA 11691 or the Judiciary Marshals Act seeks to ensure the safety and security of the members of the judiciary, judicial personnel, and court assets.

The law provides for the creation of an Office of the Judiciary Marshals that will be under the control and supervision of the Supreme Court through the Office of the Court Administrator.

The Office of the Judiciary Marshals will be primarily responsible for the security, safety, and protection of the members, officials, personnel, and property of the Judiciary, including the integrity of the courts and its proceedings.

The Office of the Judiciary Marshals will be headed by a Chief Marshal assisted by three Deputy Marshals who will be respectively in charge of, assigned and stationed in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

It is tasked to “protect, defend, safeguard, watch over, provide security for, and ensure the safety of” justices, judges, court officials, and personnel, including their families, and halls of justice, courthouses, court buildings, and other court properties.

It is also mandated to conduct threat assessments and undertake investigations and forensic analysis; ensure safe, secure, and orderly court proceedings, trials and hearings; and conduct investigations on erring justices, judges, and court officials and personnel.

Duterte also signed RA 11708 or the “Metropolitan Davao Development Authority Act” to adopt a national dispersion through regional agglomeration to revitalize large cities and expand their physical areas for planning and their service areas for urban service delivery.

Duterte signed the law considering the rapid urbanization of Davao City and the increasing population of the cities of Panabo, Tagum, and the Island Garden City of Samal in Davao del Norte; the City of Digos in Davao del Sur; and the City of Mati in Davao Oriental.

The MDDA will be organized within 30 days after the approval of RA 11708, to coordinate and promote socioeconomic growth and sustainable development of Metropolitan Davao.

It will have jurisdiction over the cities of Davao, Panabo, Tagum, Island Garden in Samal, Digos, and Mati, as well as the municipalities of Sta. Cruz, Hagonoy, Padada, Malalag, Sulop, Carmen, Maco, Malita and Sta. Maria.

The MDDA is designated to formulate plans aligned to the Davao Regional Development Plan, Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022 and succeeding national and regional development plans.

- Advertisement -

LATEST NEWS

Popular Articles