Govt prepares for 650th anniversary of PH Muslim history, heritage

MALACAÑANG has started preparations for the celebration of the 650th anniversary of the Philippine Muslim History and Heritage in 2030, with the creation of the “Situmiayat Wakhamsum Aldhikraa National Committee” (SWANC) that would oversee the planning and implementation of programs recognizing the role of Muslim Filipinos in shaping Philippine history and heritage.

Administrative Order No. 10 dated November 7 designates the chairman of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NCHP) as chairperson of the SWANC while the secretary of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) and the chairperson of the Bangsamoro Commission for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage will serve as co-vice chairpersons.

The secretaries of the Department of Budget and Management, Department of Education, Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of National Defense, Department of Tourism, and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity shall serve as members of the SWANC.

The SWANC chairperson and co-vice chairpersons and members 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 will also serve as SWANC secretariat and provide technical, administrative, and operational support to the committee.

Under the AO, SWANC shall facilitate the planning, implementation, organizing, coordinating, and synchronizing of programs, projects and activities for the 650th Philippine Muslim History and Heritage commemoration anniversary.

The commemoration activities which will be implemented from 2024 to 2030 not only recognize the role of Muslim Filipinos in shaping Philippine history and heritage “but also reignite nationalism in every Filipino, inculcate values for the common good, strengthen social cohesiveness of the community, and intensify social awareness.” – Jocelyn Montemayor