Duterte signs act declaring August 30 as National Press Freedom Day

President Rodrigo Duterte has signed Republic Act No. 11699 declaring August 30 as the National Press Freedom Day, acting presidential spokesperson Martin Andanar said on Wednesday.

At the Palace briefing, Andanar said the occasion is in honor of the father of Philippine Journalism, Marcelo H. Del Pilar, who was born on the same date in 1850.

The National Press Freedom Day would be a working holiday.

During its observance, all government agencies, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police, government-owned and controlled corporations, local government units as well as the private sector, are directed to allot time for their employees to participate in any related activities to be conducted within their respective offices.

Concerned agencies and media organizations are also ordered to lead public and private educational institutions in organizing activities that will raise awareness on the importance of the press, their rights, and social responsibilities, including information on the elimination of all forms of violence against the press. —LBG, GMA News