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MEMORANDUM CIRCULARS
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MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 169 -
REQUIRING ALL HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS, AGENCIES AND OFFICES TO INCORPORATE
A READING OF THE SUMMARY OF THE PRINCIPLES OF TOLERANCE IN THE FLAG
RAISING CEREMONIES ON NOVEMBER 17, 1997
WHEREAS, the Philippines adopted the United
Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's (UNESCO)
Declaration of Principles on Tolerance on November 16,
1995;
WHEREAS, the Declaration of Principles on Tolerance emphasizes the
government's responsibility to develop and encourage respect for human
rights and fundamental freedoms for all, without distinction as to
race, gender, language, national origin, religion or disability, and to
combat intolerance;
WHEREAS, everyone should take an active part in promoting tolerance in
society since it is not only a cherished principle but also a necessity
for peace and economic and social advancement of all peoples;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, FIDEL V. RAMOS, President of the Philippines, by
virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order all heads of
departments, agencies and offices to incorporate, in their respective
offices' flag-raising ceremonies on November 17, 1997, a reading of the
attached Summary of the Principles on Tolerance (Annex A) to heighten
the consciousness of every government employee of the importance of
tolerance as a virtue and as a principle for advancement of the public
good.
DONE in the City of Manila,
this 22nd day of October, in the year of Our Lord, Nineteen Hundred and
Ninety-Seven.
ANNEX A
THE
PRINCIPLES OF TOLERANCE
Let us remember that there can be progress, prosperity and true contentment or kaginhawahan only if there is peace . . . peace in ourselves, our homes, our barangays, peace in our nation and the whole world.
One step towards a peaceful home and world is for each one of us to internalize the attitude of tolerance. Filipinos always have valued highly three words, which when added up together equal what the English word tolerance means. Our three Filipino words for tolerance are: PAGPIGIL SA SARILI, PAGBIBIGAY LOOB and PAKIKIPAGKAPWA.
To become tolerant of the many differences in how other people think and behave right in our everyday setting and anywhere we go around the world, we need to first, maintain self-control — avoid physical violence and debasing insults against individuals, nationalities, races, religions, social ranks. That is pagpigil sa sarili.
We lower our self-respect when we do not share in the improvement of our barangays and the larger national and international setting. So secondly, we must be giving of ourselves, seeking to help others. That is pagbibigay loob.
And thirdly, we must interact with people as people, always respecting individual human dignity. Sharing our personal kapwa with others, dealing from inner being to inner being, from heart to heart, and helping people find their dignity and personal worth. That is pakikipagkapwa.
The DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES OF TOLERANCE reminds us that tolerance is "respect, acceptance and appreciation of the rich diversity of our world's cultures, our forms of expression and ways of being human. It is fostered by knowledge, openness, communication, and freedom of thought, conscience and belief. Tolerance is harmony in difference. It is not only a moral duty, it is also a political and legal requirement. ."
For those who may question if tolerance is positive, remember that: "Tolerance is not concession, condescension or indulgence. Tolerance is, above all, an active attitude prompted by recognition of the universal human rights and freedoms of others." Tolerance is not a justification for infringement of fundamental freedoms.
By maintaining self-control, refraining from causing physical harm and insulting a person's pagkatao, by sharing of ourselves to improve the quality of life for all, and by respecting the dignity that is the right of each person — whatever their station in life, their religion, their looks, their customs — we are putting the DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES OF TOLERANCE into action, and making ourselves builders of peace towards progress prosperity, and true contentment.
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