President Marcos has declared the month of September every year as Social Protection Month.

Marcos made the declaration through Proclamation No. 820 signed on March 6.

Under the proclamation, the Social Development Committee-Sub-Committee on Social Protection (SCSP) will lead the annual observance of the Social Protection Month. It is tasked to identify programs, activities, and projects for the celebration.

"[T]here is a need to raise awareness on Social Protection as a critical development strategy for poverty reduction, equality, and social inclusion, and highlight its importance in ensuring the resilience, health, and well-being of all Filipinos in today's evolving social and economic landscape," the proclamation read.

It also stated that under the Constitution, the State shall promote a just and dynamic social order that will ensure the prosperity and independence of the nation and free the people from poverty through policies that provide adequate social services, promote full employment, a rising standard of living, and an improved quality of life for all.

The proclamation further stated that the declaration is in line with the administration's 8-Point Socioeconomic Agenda which aims to reduce vulnerability and mitigate scarring from the Covid-19 pandemic by tackling health and strengthening social protections.

"Whereas, the Philippines, as a Member State of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), is firm in its shared responsibility with other nations towards the protection of fundamental human rights, as reflected in the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, ASEAN Declaration on Strengthening Social Protection and its Regional Framework and Action Plan, and other international instruments," the Proclamation said.

According to the Social Development Committee (SDC) Resolution No. 01 (s. 2007), social protection pertains to policies and programs that seek to reduce poverty and vulnerability to risks and enhance the social status and rights of the marginalized by promoting livelihood and employment, protecting them against hazards and sudden loss of income, and improving people's capacity to manage risks.

All agencies and instrumentalities of the national government, including government-owned or -controlled corporations (GOCCs) and state universities and colleges, were directed to actively participate and render the necessary support and assistance to SDC-SCSP for the effective implementation of the proclamation.

All local government units, non-government organizations, and the private sector were also encouraged to do the same.

The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) was also directed to implement effective measures to inform and encourage the public to support the programs, activities, and projects for the celebration of the Social Protection Month.