11 August 2015 - Government agencies across the country commemorated the 48th Founding Anniversary of ASEAN through a simultaneous flag-raising ceremony for the ASEAN flag on August 10. This activity was conducted during the regular national flag ceremony of said agencies every Monday.
In the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the ASEAN anthem was sung by the DFA chorale and the students from the Department's Day Care center. The children wore the national costumes of ASEAN Member States and were accompanied by members of the Philippine Marines carrying the national flags of the 10 countries.
"In commemorating the founding of ASEAN, we recognize its growth from a meeting of foreign ministers of five countries in 1967 into one ASEAN community, with integration efforts spanning all levels of government and various sectors of society", said Director-General Luis T. Cruz of the Philippine National ASEAN Secretariat. "We also acknowledge the positive impact of ASEAN on our region as it continues with its efforts to improve people's lives through enhanced cooperation during and after disasters, promotion and protection of rights of migrant workers, women and children, improving mobility of peoples, and pushing for rule of law and freedom of navigation in the region's waters, among others", he added.
Other government agencies, such as the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Department of Health (DOH), held their own ASEAN Day activities in addition to the flag-raising activity. CHED organized a whole day program which included an "Education, Travel and Food Fare," a musical performance by Kontemporaryong Gamelan Pilipino (Kontra Gapi) and an ASEAN audio-visual presentation at the CHED Auditorium in Diliman, Quezon City. The DOH conducted its ASEAN flag ceremony on August 01, followed by a trivia quizbee and ASEAN brochures distribution.
Public and private schools also celebrated this important date by holding ASEAN-related activities. The First Asia Institute of Technology and Humanities (FAITH), based in Batangas, is organizing an Exhibit and Country Talk, with focus on ASEAN as a region, during its foundation day in September while the Social Studies Department of the Makati Science High School plans to hold an exhibit on ASEAN during the school's Buwan ng Wika progam. Other schools and organizations are expected to have their own ASEAN Day commemorative activities.
Other activities being organized in relation to the 48th Founding Anniversary of ASEAN include: Commemorative Reception to be hosted by Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. Del Rosario for the Diplomatic Corps at the CCP on August 19, ASEAN Exhibit on Biodiversity entitled "A Sea Story" by the ASEAN Center for Biodiversity also at the CCP, the launching of the special issue ASEAN Community Commemorative Stamp and an exhibit on ASEAN stamps by the Philippine Postal Corporation on August 18 at SM Aura, Taguig, and an ASEAN Film Showing led by the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) in designated theaters in Metro Manila, Baguio, Davao, Zamboanga, and Iloilo in September.
From September to November, the ASEAN National Secretariat will also be conducting a Schools Visit Program to raise awareness on ASEAN as the regional organization prepares to declare its integration into one community at the end of this year. The program is also an important aspect of the preparations of the government for the Philippine assumption of the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2017, the 50th year of ASEAN.
The Philippines, as a founding member of ASEAN, annually celebrates the anniversary of ASEAN to highlight the achievements of ASEAN, promote greater awareness of ASEAN and help build ASEAN identity among Filipinos. END