A councilor in Narra Palawan expressed concern about the lengthy flag ceremony being held every Monday in front of their municipal hall.
In his privileged speech, Joel Bito-Onon criticized other officials of Narra for giving too much time to their flag ceremony.
Bito-Onon, in an interview, said that their flag ceremony lasted until 9 AM and believed it already affected the quality of service their constituents receive.
“Yung mga empleyado nakatayo doon sa flag ceremony nasa initan, ang iba diyan hindi pa nakakapag-almusal, ‘yung iba masama ang pakiramdam,” Bito-Onon said.
“Kahit na imbestigahan niyo may mga kaso na diyan na nag-collapse dahil sa ang flag ceremony ay napakahaba.
“Isipin din natin ‘yung kalagayan ng ating mga taxpayer na maaga pang pumupunta sa munisipyo tapos pagdating walang tao sa opisina dahil nasa flag ceremony.”
Meanwhile, Narra Mayor Gerandy Danao responded to the complaint of Bito-Onon, saying that they were mandated to do a flag ceremony every Monday.
“May masama ba sa flag raising ceremony? Normal lang na magreport tayo dahil sinuswelduhan tayo ng taumbayan dapat alam nila ang mga ginagawa natin at hindi naman tayo inaabot ng hanggang alas-dyes ng tanghali kalokohan ‘yun…,” Danao said.
“Sinuswelduhan tayo ng taumbayan, dapat tayong mga inihalal ng mga tao dapat tayo ang manguna sa lahat… Hindi yung ikaw pa ang pinakamalakas mag pa-media na hindi ka nga nag-attend ng flag raising ceremony tibay mo naman,” he added.
According to Section 18 of Republic Act (RA) No. 8491, otherwise known as the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines, all government offices and educational institutions must participate in the Observance/Conduct of Flag Raising Ceremonies every Monday morning and Flag Lowering Ceremonies every Friday afternoon.