Question & AnswerQ&A (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 40-A)
The Golden Heart Presidential Award is a special Presidential Award created to officially recognize Filipino citizens, resident foreigners, and other friends of the Filipino people who have rendered distinguished services or contributed noteworthy monetary or material aid to improve the social, economic, and moral conditions of the masses, especially in rural areas.
Recipients can be any individual, organization, or entity either in the Philippines or abroad that has rendered meritorious and distinguished services or contributed significant monetary or material aid to government campaigns for the amelioration and improvement of the moral, social, and economic conditions of the masses.
The obverse of the Golden Heart Medal shows two outstretched hands offering a golden heart to the people, the motto 'MANUM TUAM APERVIT INOPE' (meaning 'She hath opened her heart to the needy and stretched forth her hands to the poor' from Proverbs 31:20), and the legend 'THE GOLDEN HEART PRESIDENTIAL AWARD' surrounding the design.
The reverse side of the medal bears the Presidential Seal surrounded by a plain border where the name of the recipient may be engraved.
For individuals, the award consists of the medal and ribbon presented to the recipient.
Organizations or entities receive a simple narra plaque that features the obverse and reverse of the medal attached to it.
The medal is made of bronze gilded material and is of little intrinsic value; however, it is intended to be a valued and honored heirloom for recipients.
No, the award is not limited to those who give large financial or material contributions; it also recognizes other forms of aid that represent significant sacrifice on the part of the giver.
Until Congress appropriates funds specifically for the award, the expenses are paid from the discretionary fund of the President of the Philippines.