Schools told to respect flag, national anthem

The Department of Education has directed all schools to respect the Philippine flag by not displaying tattered or faded ones, and by actual singing of the national anthem only, not by playing a taped version, during flag-raising and flag-retreat ceremonies.

“It’s about time we get reminded of our patriotic duty to renew efforts to respect and pledge allegiance to this icon of a nation that is truly free,” said DepEd Secretary Jesli Lapus in a recent memorandum.

Lapus, in his memorandum, added: “Our flag deserves respect which our students both from public and private schools should bear in mind at such an early age.”

The memorandum further reminded the schools on the provisions of Republic Act 8491, which mandates the proper display and use of the Philippine flag, and the appropriate singing of the national anthem.

Among the prohibitions of RA 8491 are: The lowering of the flag to salute or compliment any person or object; using it as drapery, festoon, tablecloth, and cover for ceilings, walls, statues or other objects; using it as pennant in the hood, side, back and top of motor vehicles, and a staff or whip for unveiling monuments or statues;

The flag must not be used also as part of trademarks for industrial, commercial or agricultural labels or designs; and for display under any painting or picture, horizontally face-up, below any platform, or in discotheques, cockpits, night and day clubs, casinos, gambling joints and places of vice or where frivolity prevails.

Other prohibitions are the wearing of the flag in whole or in part as a costume or uniform; adding on it any word, figure, mark, picture, design, drawings, advertisement, or imprint of any nature; and printing, painting or attaching its representation on handkerchiefs, napkins, cushions, and other articles of merchandise;

The flag must not be displayed also as part of any advertisement or infomercial,” and in front of buildings or offices occupied by those who are not Filipino citizens.

People must be conscious further about displaying the flag on a flagpole, said the law, which mandates that if the flag is displayed in schools, offices and stages or platforms, it shall be placed at the left side facing the stage or the left side of the office facing the entrance.   — Ferliza C. Contratista/RAE