President Duterte will recognize public servants and private individuals who give “invaluable or extraordinary service” to his administration’s campaign for a clean government and an equally clean society with a new presidential award.
“The Order of Lapu-Lapu” is created under Executive Order No. 17, which the President signed on April 7.
It said that the “efforts and sacrifices of the officials and personnel of the government and private citizens in furtherance of the campaign or advocacy of the President deserves recognition.”
The President’s advocacies include the suppression of illegal drugs and illegal gambling, the protection of the environment, and the eradication of graft and corruption, among others.
The Order of Lapu-Lapu comprises of three medals, according to the executive order.
These are the:
Lapu-Lapu Medal which will be awarded to government officials and personnel and private citizens “who have contributed significantly to the success of an activity pursuant to a campaign or advocacy of the President.”
Kalasag Medal will be a posthumous award for those who made the ultimate sacrifice as a “direct result of their participation in an activity pursuant to a campaign or advocacy of the President.”
Kampilan Medal for those who are seriously wounded while carrying out or helping in the President’s advocacies.
In all three awards, agency heads involved in the different advocacies will recommend the nominees.
The award committee will be comprised of a representative from the Office of the Executive Secretary, and two from the Presidential Management Staff.
Funding for the award will come from the Office of the President.
Lapu-Lapu is regarded to be the first Filipino hero. A chieftain from the Mactan Island in the Visayas, he led the resistance against the Spanish rule.