PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has issued Memorandum Circular No. 41, directing government agencies and encouraging local government units (LGUs) to observe “Community Development Week” and “Community Development Day.”
The observance aims to uphold and instil the “Bayanihan Spirit” and the importance of community cooperation, the memo stated.
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin signed the memorandum on Jan. 3, instructing the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), in collaboration with non-government and people’s organizations, to lead the activities and programs of the annual “Community Development Week” and “Community Development Day.”
“All national government agencies and instrumentalities, including government-owned or -controlled corporations, government financial institutions, and state universities and colleges are hereby directed, and all local government units are encouraged, to extend full support for, and cooperation in, the conduct of relevant activities and programs during the annual celebration of the Community Development Week and Community Development Day,” the two-page memo stated.
As outlined in Proclamation No. 316, the DILG is the lead agency in the annual celebration, working in coordination with non-government and people’s organizations.
Proclamation No. 316 declares the first week of January as Community Development Week and January 6 of every year as Community Development Day.
The proclamation, dating back to 1994, seeks to raise awareness of the Bayanihan Spirit and the value of community cooperation.
Additionally, the proclamation aims to acknowledge the invaluable contributions and joint efforts of both government and non-government organizations in the development of local communities, people empowerment, and community mobilization.