Marcos’ order: Use Bagong Pilipinas hymn, pledge in flag ceremonies

President Marcos — Photo from REUTERS

MANILA, Philippines  — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has issued a memorandum circular (MC) directing and encouraging all government agencies, local government units (LGUs) and educational institutions to integrate the recital of the Bagong Pilipinas Hymn and Pledge during their flag ceremonies.

The MC No. 52, which Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin signed, was uploaded to the Official Gazette on Sunday.

“To further instill the principles of the Bagong Pilipinas brand of governance and leadership among Filipinos, all national government agencies and instrumentalities, including GOCCs and educational institutions, such as SUCs (state universities and colleges), are hereby directed, and LGUs are hereby encouraged, to integrate the recital of the Bagong Pilipinas Hymn and Pledge in the conduct of weekly flag ceremonies, subject to existing laws, rules and regulations,” the circular reads.

EMBED: https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2024/06/04/memorandum-circular-no-52-s-2024/

Under the MC, Marcos likewise ordered the Presidential Communications Office to implement effective measures “to communicate and disseminate the Bagong Pilipinas Hymn and Pledge to all government offices and the public.”

It also said heads of national government agencies and instrumentalities “shall ensure that the Bagong Pilipinas Hymn and Pledge are properly disseminated within their respective institutions and offices.”

MC No. 52 will take effect immediately.

Bagong Pilipinas is the current administration’s brand of governance and leadership.

The brand is “envisioned to empower Filipinos to support and participate in all government efforts in an all-inclusive plan towards deep and fundamental social and economic transformation in all sectors of society and government,” the directive said.