Nagueños fly Philippine flag proudly

NAGA CITY --- Employees of the city government led by no less than City Mayor John G. Bongat and other city officials simultaneously raised the Philippine flag on its 27 newly-constructed flag poles in front of the city hall along J. Miranda Avenue here Monday morning. The flag-raising, which had been preceded by the installation of flags earlier along the major streets of the old business district and the city’s major plazas, marked the start off the celebration of the National Flag Day. Presidential Proclamation No. 374 dated March 6, 1965 has declared May 28 as National Flag Day. On May 23, 1994, Executive Order No. 179 was issued extending the period of celebrating National Flag Day from May 28 to June 12, which is Philippine Independence Day. Incidentally, on June 18, this year Naga City will be celebrating its 70th year as a charter city. President Elpidio Quirino then on that fateful date signed Republic Act No. 305, which formally gave Naga its Charter, making our city the first chartered component city in Bicol and one of the few in the few in the country. As more significant events will unfold in the city in the next few days, Mayor John Bongat has called on patriotic and proud Naguenos to cause the display of the Philippine Flag in all our government buildings, business establishments, offices, school campuses, and private homes from as early May 24, 2018 until June 19, 2018, which also happens to be the Birth Anniversary of our National Hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. “As a symbol of our national identity, liberty and freedom that our forefathers bequeathed us, displaying the Philippine Flag proudly throughout the months of May to June will not be too much to ask, especially in these trying times that we are consistently seeking to defend and make Naga City a proud community that it is, free from fear and want,” the mayor wrote in his letter addressed to concerned fellow Naguenos. jbp