Marcos signs law honoring hijab, cultural attire every Feb. 1

The Senate commemorates “World Hijab Day” in this file photo taken on February 1, 2023 at the Senate Plenary Hall. The Palace has signed a law to declare February 1 of every year as the National Day of Awareness on Hijab. FILE PHOTO / Joseph Vidal of Senate PRIB

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has signed a law declaring the first day of February of every year as the “National Day of Awareness on Hijab and Other Traditional Garments and Attire.”

Officially called Republic Act No. 12224, the law aims to foster diversity, understanding, and respect for various religious and cultural beliefs by encouraging the wearing of indigenous and traditional clothing, including head garments and coverings.

READ: Senate okays bill declaring Feb. 1 as nat’l day of awareness on hijab

“The Chairpersons of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF), the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), in coordination with the local government units and other national government agencies, are enjoined to conduct activities and programs such as exhibits and symposiums that promote the cultural values of wearing hijab and other traditional garments and attire,” it read.

It also emphasized that the wearing of any specific clothing, attire, or garment is not mandatory.

The law was signed by Marcos on June 18 and will take effect 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

It was a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 1410 and House Bill No. 5693, passed on February 3 and February 5, 2025, respectively. /jpv