WHEREAS, Section 13, Article II of the Constitution provides that the State recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-building, and shall promote and protect the youth's physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual and social well-being;

WHEREAS, Section 3 of Republic Act (RA) No. 8049, as amended by RA No. 11053 or the "Anti-Hazing Act of 2018," prohibits all forms of hazing in fraternities, sororities and organizations, including citizens' military training and citizens' army training;

WHEREAS, Section 8 of RA No. 8049, as amended, mandates schools to implement information dissemination campaigns to provide adequate knowledge to students and their parents or guardians regarding the consequences of conducting and participating in hazing;

WHEREAS, throughout the years, there has been an alarming number of hazing-related deaths in the Philippines despite the passage of the Anti-Hazing Act; and

WHEREAS, to address the continuous occurrence, as well as the dire consequences of this act of violence, there is a need for the active participation of various government agencies, as well as the private sector and non­ governmental organizations, to increase awareness of the importance and value of hazing prevention;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the power vested in me by the Constitution and existing laws, do hereby declare the second week of February of every year as "National Hazing Prevention Week."

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) shall lead, coordinate and supervise the nationwide yearly observance of the National Hazing Prevention Week, with the main objective of strengthening the campaign to end hazing and other fraternity-related violence.

All other agencies and instrumentalities of the National Government, including government-owned or -controlled corporations and state universities and colleges, are hereby directed, and all local government units, as well as the private sector, relevant civil society organizations and professional groups, are hereby encouraged to actively participate and provide the necessary support and assistance to the CHED for the successful conduct of programs, projects and activities relative to the observance and celebration of the National Hazing Prevention Week.

The necessary funding for the implementation of this Proclamation shall be charged against the respective available appropriations of the concerned agencies. For the succeeding years, the necessary funding shall be programmed in the respective budget proposals of the said agencies, subject to existing laws, rules and regulations.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Republic of the Philippines to be affixed.

DONE, in the City of Manila, this 21st day of February in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Twenty.

(SGD.) RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE

By the President:

(SGD.) SALVADOR C. MEDIALDEA
Executive Secretary