Manila - President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has proclaimed the period from 2023 to 2033 as the 'Dekada ng Kasaysayan ng Pilipinas' (Decade of Philippine History). This declaration aligns with the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP)'s centennial anniversary in October 2033. According to Proclamation 386, signed by Marcos on November 7, the observance is aimed at celebrating the NHCP's significant role in Philippine bureaucracy and emphasizing the importance of history in nation-building.
According to Philippines News Agency, Under the proclamation, the NHCP is tasked with leading, coordinating, and supervising the observance of the Dekada ng Kasaysayan ng Pilipinas. The NHCP will also identify the programs, projects, and activities to be undertaken for the celebration. Proclamation 396 calls for support from all national government agencies and instrumentalities, including government-owned or -controlled corporations, government financial institutions, and state universities and colleges. Local government units, non-government organizations, and the private sector are also encouraged to assist in the celebration. The proclamation acknowledges the contributions of the NHCP's staff, including historians, researchers, curators, architects, engineers, chemists, conservators, artists, planners, and managers, who have worked to advance historical research, commemorate Filipino figures, preserve historic sites, and educate the public about Philippine history and heritage.
The NHCP traces its roots back to the Philippine Historical Research and Markers Committee (PHRMC), established on October 23, 1933, by Executive Order 451. The PHRMC was initially tasked with identifying, designating, and marking cultural and historical antiquities in the Philippines. Over the years, various presidential issuances expanded the functions of the historical body, leading to the creation of the NHCP as an independent government agency under Republic Act 10086 in 2010. The NHCP is responsible for the restoration, conservation, and protection of the country's historical objects and the determination of factual matters relating to official Philippine history. The centennial anniversary of the NHCP's predecessor, the PHRMC, will be marked on October 23, 2033.