No national or local government office or educational institution is exempted from observing the flag-raising ceremony every Monday morning and the flag-lowering ceremony every Friday afternoon, according to the Civil Service Commission (CSC).

Per Republic Act 8491, all constitutional bodies, departments, bureaus, agencies of national government, local government units, government-owned and controlled corporations with original charters, state universities and colleges are required to observe flag ceremonies.

Chairman Francisco Duque reiterated this in a memo that government employees should regularly accord respect to the Philippine flag, and that in this ceremony they must be constantly reminded of how they must conduct themselves as public servants.

According to the CSC, if the Monday is a holiday, the flag ceremony should be held the next working day and the lowering of the flag should be held every Friday or the last working day of each week.

RA 8491 also provides that the flag ceremony shall be simple and dignified and shall include the playing or singing of the Philippine National Anthem. As a sign of respect all persons shall stand at attention and face the Philippine flag. At the first note, all person shall execute a salute by placing their right palms over their left chest.  Those in the military, scouting, citizens military training and security guard uniforms shall give the salute prescribed by their regulations and shall be completed upon the last note of the anthem.

To ensure its compliance, the CSC has also directed agency heads to come up with internal

guidelines to ensure strict attendance of personnel in the flag ceremonies.*JCM/PIA6