DAGUPAN CITY, PHILIPPINES – The Philippine government has stepped up its new campaign to switch from “Filipino Time” to “Juan Time,” a call for punctuality in all transactions.
According to Arnold Santos, science research specialist of DOST-Pangasinan, the campaign for PhST dubbed “Juan Time: Pinoy Ako, On Time Ako” aims to synchronize all timepieces in the country and to promote punctuality, discipline and value of time of others.
“Pursuant to Republic Act No. 10535, all government offices, schools, public and private television and radio stations in the country shall display the PhST on their official time devices and observe the value of time and respect the time of others,” Santos said during the ‘Pantongtongan Tayo’ radio program of PIA-Pangasinan aired live over DZMQ Radyo ng Bayan-Dagupan recently.
The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) in coordination with DOST, will monitor, maintain and disseminate the PhST throughout the country from which all national and local government offices shall coordinate at least once a month to synchronize their official time devices.
Santos said, difference for error allows only 5 seconds, from which anything below and above the 5 seconds is already a violation to PhST.
The National Telecommunication Commission (NTC) requires the participation of all government and private television and radio stations in order to ensure the synchronization of timekeeping devices can be undertaken even in the most remote parts of the country.
“If a station was found out violating the PhST, DOST will send them a letter within 24 hours regarding their violation with the date and time when their violation occurred and the penalties incurred thereof,” Santos said.
Failure to calibrate and synchronize their time devices with the PhST shall be penalized with a fine of not less than 30, 000 but not more than 50, 000 in their first offense and revocation and cancellation of their franchise to operate in their second offense.
He said the television and radio stations are playing a big role in the implementation of the government’s campaign to promote punctuality in the country because most of the people use to adjust and synchronize their time devices with them.
DOST believes that the campaign will soon reverse the negative connotation of “Filipino Time” of tardiness to punctuality and discipline, Santos said.
