Flag-raising rites usher in standard time

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) will spearhead today the holding of simultaneous flag-raising ceremonies in government agencies nationwide as it leads the government effort to observe National Time Consciousness Week from Jan. 1 to 7.

At exactly 8 a.m., flag-raising ceremonies nationwide will be under the Philippine Standard Time (PhST), which was earlier set by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the country’s official timekeeper.

Along with the simultaneous flag ceremony, all government offices will display the PhST in prominent areas, in compliance with Civil Service Commission announcement No. 1,s. 2014.

The activity is part of the government’s campaign for the use of Philippine Standard Time.

The PhST was enacted through Republic Act 10535 or the Philippine Standard Time Act of 2013, signed into law by President Aquino on May 15, 2013.

The law assigns every first week of the year as National Time Consciousness Week.

The DOST’s PhST campaign, dubbed as Juan Time “Pinoy Ako On Time Ako” aims to synchronize all timepieces in the country and promote punctuality with the new definition of “Filipino Time” as on time.

The highlight of the campaign was the New Year countdown using PhST, which was adopted by major television networks and telecommunication giants.

“Our 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,” Science Secretary Mario Montejo said.