President Rodrigo Duterte has declared Aug. 30 of every year as National Press Freedom Day in honor of Marcelo Del Pilar, hailed as the father of Philippine Journalism.
Republic Act No. 11699, signed into law on April 13, mandates the Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority to lead schools in organizing activities to recognize the importance of the press every Aug. 30, the birth date of Del Pilar.
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"August 30 of every year is hereby declared as 'National Press Freedom Day', a working holiday in honor of Marcelo H. Del Pilar, the father of Philippine Journalism who wrote under the pen name 'Plaridel'..." the law stated.
The policy also aims to raise awareness of the rights and social responsibilities of the press as well as the "elimination of all forms of violence" against the watchdogs.
Concerns over press freedom were heightened during Duterte's presidency after Congress rejected a new franchise for the Philippines' largest broadcasting network ABS-CBN in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The non-renewal of the company's franchise resulted in the loss of thousands of jobs, and information gaps during typhoons and calamities were attributed to the network's shutdown.
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