The Department of Education (DepEd) has issued a set of guidelines on the proper use of Philippine flag befitting its role as symbol of the country's sovereignty and unity.

"Our flag deserves respect which our students both from public and private schools should bear in mind at such an early age," said Education Secretary Jesli A. Lapus.

In a memorandum, Lapus said that during flag raising and retreat ceremonies, there should be actual singing of the national anthem and not by canned music. He added that no tattered or badly-faded flag should be allowed to fly in any school or office.

He also directed the DepEd community to refer to the provisions of RA 8491 on the proper display and use of the Philippine flag, on the singing of the national anthem and the prohibited acts on its use.

"It's about time we get reminded of our patriotic duty to renew efforts to respect and pledge allegiance to this icon of a nation that is truly free," he added.

Among the provisions of the RA 8491 is the design of the flag, allowed and prohibited ways of its use, the pledge to the national flag and penalties for violation of any part of the law. Section 12 of the law states that "when the Philippine flag is flown with another flag, the flags, if both are national flags, must be flown on separate staffs of the same height and shall be of equal size." It also directs that "the Philippine flag shall be hoisted first and lowered last."

Moreover, people should be conscious about is displaying the flag on a flagpole. The law also states that "if in a hanging position, the blue field shall be to the right (left of the observer).

Since the flag is commonly displayed in schools, offices and stages or platforms, the law also dictates that "the flag shall be at the left (facing the stage) or the left of the office upon entering."

Prohibited acts involving the Philippine Flag are as follows:

1. Lowering the flag to salute or compliment any person or object.
2. To use the flag "as a drapery, festoon, tablecloth, covering for ceilings, walls, statues or other objects, as a pennant in the hood, side, back and top of motor vehicles, a staff or whip, for unveiling monuments or statues; and as trademarks, or for industrial, commercial or agricultural labels or designs."
3. Displaying the flag "under any painting or picture, horizontally face-up, below any platform, or in discotheques, cockpits, night and day clubs, casinos, gambling joints and places of vice or where frivolity prevails."
4. Wearing "the flag in whole or in part as a costume or uniform.
5. Adding "any word, figure, mark, picture, design, drawings, advertisement, or imprint of any nature on the flag."
6. "Print, paint or attach representation of the flag on handkerchiefs, napkins, cushions, and other articles of merchandise."
7. Use the flag as "display or be part of any advertisement or infomercial," and
8. "To display the flag in front of buildings or offices occupied by" those who are not Filipino citizens.

(PIA)