Countdown to Phl Standard Time

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and telecommunication firms are set to synchronize time with Philippine Standard Time (PhST) in welcoming the year 2014 tonight.

Smart Communications Inc. and Globe Telecom will be synchronizing their network time with the PhST today.

Earlier, President Aquino signed into law Republic Act 10535 or the Philippine Standard Time Act of 2013, which requires all government offices and broadcast firms to display the PhST provided by the DOST’s Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration.

The new law also provides for the observance of National Time Consciousness Week, set to make its debut on Jan. 1, 2014 with the theme “Juan Time: Pinoy Ako, On-Time Ako!”

DOST Assistant Secretary Raymund Liboro said the arrival of the New Year is the right moment for Filipinos to start following PhST.

Science Secretary Mario Montejo also said that the “Juan Time campaign seeks to reverse the negative connotations of ‘Filipino time’ from tardiness to punctuality, discipline, and utmost regard for other people’s time.”

“Lateness often leads to missed opportunities. What we want is for Filipinos to arrive on time as the new norm,” Montejo added.

For Ramon Isberto, head for Public Affairs of Smart Communications, “the theme ‘PinoyAko, On Time Ako’ is very appropriate in the context of keeping our diverse country of more than 7,000 islands in step with the world.”

“Smart is committed to do its part in making sure that its 50 million subscribers will benefit from this Philippine Standard Time campaign,” he added.

Globe is also supporting DOST’s activities for National Time Consciousness Week.

“Globe actively supports the observance of National Time Consciousness Week by activating various initiatives through the power of our modernized network and social media to reach out to all Filipinos, enjoining them to observe a common reckoning of time across the country. With the implementation of the Philippine Standard Time, we are one with our countrymen in starting 2014 on time and observing thereafter Filipino Time as being Juan Time, On Time,” said Globe Telecom Corporate Communications head Yoly Crisanto.