President Rodrigo Duterte has signed Republic Act No. 11699 declaring every August 30 as the “National Press Freedom Day”, a working holiday, acting presidential spokesperson Martin Andanar announced on Wednesday, April 27.
Andanar said that the holiday is in honor of the father of Philippine Journalism, Marcelo H. Del Pilar, who was born on the same date in 1850.
During the observance, every government agency, including the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, government-owned and controlled corporations, local government units, and private sectors, are expected to allot time for their employees to participate in any activities aligned with the said celebration.
Media organizations are also asked to lead public and private education institutions in organizing some activities that will raise awareness and vigilance on the importance of press freedom, rights, social responsibilities, and all other information that will make them recognize their strength to eliminate any form of violence against the press.