Gov't offices to honor Nat'l Flag every Monday starting May 28

Cebu City (25 May) -- All national government agencies are mandated to place its own Philippine buntings around government buildings as RA 8491 has declared May 28 until June 30, 2007 as National Flag Days.

In honor of the National Flag, national government agencies, government owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) and government financial institutions (GFIs) have been instructed by the Civil Services Commission to bestow a fitting Monday Flag ceremony complete with inspirational message obout the Philippine Flag and National Anthem.

The Flag Days advocacy will start this Monday, May 28 and every Monday henceforth with the following dates -- June 4, 11, 18 and 25.

Inspirational messages to be given every Monday must focus on the history of the Philippine Flag, its symbol and significance as well as its relevance in the Filipinos' struggle for freedom and nationhood.

On June 12, the country celebrates its 109th Independence Day under the theme "Sama-sama Tayo Tungo sa Pag-asenso" where simultaneous flag-raising and wreath-laying ceremonies at the various historical sites nationwide will be held as well as the conduct of the Independence Day Parade.

Symbol of the Philippine Flag

The symbols on the white triangle of the Philippine flag are an eight rayed sun and three stars in gold. The sun represents the dawning of a new era of self determination that was desired in 1897 (when the flag was first designed) after the Spanish-American war. The 8 rays on the sun stand for the 8 provinces that rose in revolt against Spanish rule in the late 19th century. The 3 stars stand for the 3 principal geographic areas of the country, Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao.

To complete the symbolism of the flag, the red stripe represents courage and bravery and the blue stripe is for noble ideals. The white triangle stands for the Katipunan, a revolutionary organization that led the revolt against Spain and the color white represents peace and purity. This flag is unique in that in peacetime, the blue stripe is uppermost but during wartime, the red stripe is on top, an internet research on the Philippine Flag yields. (PIA-Cebu/FCR)