SIMULTANEOUS FLAG RAISING NATIONWIDE

DILIMAN, QUEZON CITY – On the 114^th Anniversary of the Philippine Independence Day on June 12, 2012 and the 25^th Anniversary of the 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines, simultaneous Flag-raising and Wreath-laying Ceremonies will be done in the morning to commence the historical commemoration. According to the National Historical Council of the Philippines (NHCP) Dir. Maria Serena Diokno, there will be nine places where these ceremonies will be done. Five of these- two in Manila and one each in Bulacan, Cavite andPampanga- were part of the eight provinces that are represented by the golden rays of the sun on the flag.

The National Steering Committee, created through Administrative Order No. 23,to observe, monitor, organize and evaluate national observances such as the Independence Day, National Heroes Day and ArawngKagitingan, will be present in different places in the country for the flag-raising and wreath-laying ceremonies. This vital committee is spear-headed by the NHCP head Dir. Maria Serena Diokno. Department of Tourism (DOT) Sec. Ramon R. Jimenez, Department of Education (DepEd) Sec. Armin Luistro, Department of Local and Interior Governance (DILG) Sec. Jesse M. Robredo and Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Sec. Sonny Coloma are members of the National Steering Committee. 

His Excellency President Benigno S. Aquino will lead the flag raising ceremony at the historical Barasoain Church in Malolos City, Bulacan where General Emilio Aguinaldo temporarily settled in and where the First Philippine Congress was held on September 15, 1898. The President will be delivering his speech for this day during the commemorative program that will also be held at the Barasoain Church Historical Landmark in the morning.

Vice President Jejomar Binay will be in charge of hoisting the flag at the popular Rizal Monument Shrine at the Rizal Park in Manila. It is in that place where historical execution of the Filipino national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, occurred. The well-guarded memorial shrine of Dr. Jose Rizal is also situated in that place.

Meanwhile in the Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, Cavite, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrilewill be present for the raising of the Philippine flag in that area where the very important Declaration of Philippine Independence happened.

In the place where the first battle of the Katipunan against the Spanish colonizers occurred, Speaker Feliciano Belmonte will also be the first in raising the Philippine Flag for that day. This will happen at the Pinaglabanan Memorial Shrine in San Juan City where the vital “Cry of PugadLawin” took place.

While Speaker Belmonte and the other representatives are raising the flag in their respective places, Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Voltaire Gazmin will also be doing the same in the Mausoleo de los Veteranos de la Revolucion in the Manila North Cemetery. Here lies the brave veterans of the Philippine Revolution who fought well for Philippine Independence that Filipinos are enjoying today.

At the Bonifacio National Monument in Caloocan City, the hero Andres Bonifacio is commemorated, and in that said place will also be where one of the flags will be raised, as led by Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Leila de Lima.

Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Ramon Jimenez will be in charge of the flag-raising in the Pamintuan House in Angeles City, Pampanga. This was the place that became the first seat of the Philippine Republic and the residence of the First President. This was also where the first celebration of Independence Day occurred.

Finally, in two of the major cities in the Philippines will be where the other two flags will be heaved. In Cebu City, Gov. Gwen Garcia will be hoisting the flag while City Mayor Sara Duterte will do the same in Davao City. 

These simple acts are very significant in reminding the Filipino people about how their freedom was attained and how Independence can not be achieved alone. Sovereignty is not a one-man job, but a national concern and effort. (Betty Lou Peñera, PIA)

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