Ahead of independence day: Flag-burning ceremony set today

CEBU, Philippines — Ahead of the Independence Day observance, the Cebu City government will initiate a flag burning ceremony today at the Cebu City National Science High School, to be led by acting Cebu City Mayor Donaldo Hontiveros, as he aims to counter negative perception regarding this practice.

The ceremony is in observance of Republic Act 8491, otherwise known as the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines, which also mandates the solemn burning of worn-out flags through wear and tear to avoid misuse or desecration under the Section 14 of the said act. Once a flag shows visible signs of wear and tear, it must be replaced immediately.

The burning of the flags is set to begin at 4:30 PM during the flag-lowering ceremony, which is set to begin with an invocation by the Cebu City Marching Band and be followed by the welcome remarks of scout master Rudolph Paqueo.

Hontiveros is set to deliver his message at the ceremony and lead the flag-lowering ceremony, which will then be followed by the burning of old Philippine flags by the Boy Scouts of the Philippines.

During yesterday’s flag-raising ceremony at the Plaza Sugbu, Hontiveros called for awareness on the practice following negative reactions from the public during previous years’ ceremonies.

“Magpatabang lang mi og explain kay the previous years naa tay ceremonial burning of the flags diri, dili man maayo ang reception sa mga tawo so importante tingali nga ato g’yud mapasabot the reason we do this,” he said.

He also encouraged his fellow government officials and employees to share the information to make the public be aware and further understand the ceremony.

“I hope fellow government employees ato ‘ning ma-share nga information kay importante, when we share this, mas makasabot sila why we do such things,” he said.

Hontiveros and the Cultural and Historical Affairs Office Community Affairs officer Bryner Diaz encouraged the public to send their worn-out flags for burning until noontime today to their office at the third floor of the Rizal Memorial Library and Museum.

As per Republic Act 8491, flags are to be disposed in an honorable manner such as this, instead of being thrown away alongside regular trash.

After burning, the ashes are collected and buried in an appropriate location at least 1.5 feet deep. — Caren Itolle and Joseph Adrian Leyson, CNU interns (FREEMAN)