Teachers group opposes including Bagong Pilipinas in school flag ceremonies

The Teachers' Dignity Coalition (TDC) on Wednesday criticized the order making the “Bagong Pilipinas” hymn and pledge part of the flag ceremonies of government agencies and schools, saying that it is “impractical and unnecessary.”

TDC chairperson Benjo Basas explained that singing the Lupang Hinirang and reciting the Panatang Makabayan and the Panunumpa sa Watawat ng Pilipinas are already enough during the flag raising ceremony in schools every Monday.

“Napakaganda na ng mga ito. May national consensus, bahagi ng ating cultural heritage. Talaga namang tumatama ito sa ating puso, lalong lalo na ang ating Pambansang Awit,” he said in an Unang Balita interview.

(These are already very beautiful, as they have a national consensus and are part of our cultural heritage. They really hit our hearts, especially our National Anthem.)

“Hindi namin nakikita kasi ang practical side na kailangang dagdagan pa dahil aabot ito ng apat na minuto eh nu'ng nag-simulate kami. Mahaba na po,” he added, stressing that it will affect the learning time of students.

(We don't see the practicality of adding more to what we’re already reciting. The ‘Bagong Pilipinas’ takes four minutes based on our simulation. The flag ceremony is already too long.)

On June 4, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin signed Memorandum Circular No. 52, directing all national government agencies and educational institutions to make the “Bagong Pilipinas” (New Philippines) hymn and pledge a part of weekly flag ceremonies.

The order was made “to further instill the principles of the Bagong Pilipinas brand of governance and leadership among Filipinos.”

Basas, however, admitted that the TDC will abide by the order as they have the obligation to do so, being public school teachers and part of the Department of Education (DepEd).

The DepEd had said that it will no longer comment on the order as it already came from a memorandum circular from the Office of the President.

For Senate Minority Leader Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III, however, a law must cover the singing and recitation of the "Bagong Pilipinas" hymn and pledge. He said that a simple executive directive is insufficient as this "involves the way of thinking of the people."

The Marcos administration unveiled in July last year the Bagong Pilipinas campaign, a new brand of governance and leadership, in a bid to implement an “all-inclusive plan for economic and social transformation.”

Based on a memorandum circular signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on July 3, 2023, “Bagong Pilipinas” is characterized by a “principled, accountable and dependable government reinforced by unified institutions of society, whose common objective is to realize the goals and aspirations of every Filipino.” —KG, GMA Integrated News