THE Department of Education (DepEd), in partnership with Ayala Foundation Inc., Chooks-to-Go of Bounty Agro Ventures Inc. and the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), recently distributed 163 Philippine flags to the schools division of Quezon City to kick off the #MagingMagiting Flag Campaign at the Bagong Silangan Elementary School in Quezon City.
“This [event] is very important…for the first time, in partnership with Ayala Foundation Chooks-to-Go, and NHCP, we have this campaign to honor our flag by giving out new flags to our schools,” DepEd Undersecretary for External Partnerships and School Sports Tonisito M.C. Umali said.
Republic Act (RA) 8491, otherwise known as the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines, states that “all public buildings, official residences, public plazas and institutions of learning every day throughout the year.”
The Schools Division of Quezon City and Ayala Foundation Inc., signed a memorandum of agreement before handing out the flags to schools under the congressional districts of the said city.
NHCP Executive Director III Ludovico Badoy lauded the plan to distribute the flags first to public elementary schools nationwide, saying it will teach the students to respect the flag.
For his part, Ayala Foundation Inc. President Ruel Maranan said “we give the proper respect when we see the flag, and when we hear and sing the Lupang Hinirang.”
“We should really give it the respect and fervor it deserves,” he added.
Bounty Agro Venture Inc. President Ronald Mascariñas, Quezon City Schools Division Supt. Natividad Bayubay and Gilas Pilipinas member Kobe Paras were, likewise, present during the event.