President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday hailed the “boundless service” of the National Security Council (NSC) and the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) as he urged them to continue upholding the country’s interest and the security of the Filipino people.

Speaking during the joint anniversary celebration of the NSC and the NICA at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), President Marcos recognized how the agencies have remained at the forefront of ensuring national security for more than seven decades.

“I know that you are not often credited nor celebrated enough due to the nature of your work and the sensitivity of the jobs that you hold. Such is the nature of the clandestine services. But please know that your brilliant handiwork, courageous grit, and selfless sacrifice are well-recognized by those who know of the hard work that you have put in to keep our country safe,” Marcos said.

“We know that you are the silent guardians who protect us against all manner of national threats, the steadfast vanguards who keep our enemies at bay, and the faithful watchers ensuring that we do not veer to disorder and to chaos,” he added.

The NSC and the NICA are celebrating their 73rd and 74th Founding Anniversary, respectively.

President Marcos noted that the country continues to face pressing issues of national concern, including threats to territorial integrity and sovereignty; terrorism and local communist insurgency; threats in cybersecurity; and, dangers of climate change.

The President also mentioned about the global developments and shifts where the assistance and efforts of NICA and NSC are critical to ensure that the country remains on top of its national security concerns.

“With this, let us continue to prepare for the tasks that lie ahead and continue to uphold our national interest and ensuring the security of the Filipino public and that should remain at the top of all of our priorities,” the chief executive said.

Marcos emphasized that he will continue to rely on the NSC and NICA as the Philippines embarks on the new era for the country when the path to national security intertwines with economic and social transformation.

“Ang sambayanang Pilipino ay patuloy na umaasa sa inyo sa pagtaguyod ng isang bansa kung saan ang lahat ay nagkakaisa, nagtutulungan, at nagkakapit-bisig para sa pagpapabuti ng kalagayan ng bawat buhay ng Pilipino,” the President added.

The NSC is the principal advisory body on the proper coordination and integration of plans and policies affecting national security, consisting two distinct bodies such as the Council Proper and the NSC Secretariat. It was established by virtue of Executive Order No. 330 on July 1, 1950.

The NICA, on the other hand, is the central coordinating agency in charge of integrating government activities related to national intelligence and preparing intelligence estimates on local and foreign situations for the formulation of national policies on the matter.

The NICA was established on July 1, 1949 through Executive Order No. 235. PND