A Final Salute: Sto. Tomas, Batangas, Honors Worn-Out Philippine Flags

The City of Sto. Tomas in Batangas recently held a solemn ceremony to properly dispose of hundreds of worn-out Philippine flags, an event mandated by the country’s Flag and Heraldic Code. On August 29, Mayor Arth Jhun Aguilar Marasigan led the rite, honoring the flags that had served as a symbol of the nation’s sovereignty and the city’s journey.

A total of 405 flags from the city government, its 30 barangays, and 50 public and private schools were retired. Mayor Marasigan spoke of the flags as “silent witnesses” to the city’s transformation, growth, and the peaceful transitions of power over the years. He expressed gratitude to these “quiet onlookers” for representing the city’s efforts in addressing challenges throughout their service.

The ceremony was a dignified tribute to the flags, which the mayor described as emblems of democracy that embodied strength and vitality. He noted that their presence symbolized the struggles and challenges the city had overcome since its founding in 1665. “As a symbol of sovereignty,” the mayor added, “the flag reminds us of what we had accomplished as public servants, where we are today and what we hope to be in the future.”

The disposal ceremony, which included earnest prayers, the singing of the national anthem, and a ceremonial wreath-laying, culminated in the respectful burning of the flags and the stately placement of their ashes. This act, in accordance with Section 15 of Republic Act 8491, ensures that worn-out flags are not misused or desecrated. The event served to reinforce the importance of patriotism and the proper reverence for national symbols.

Mayor Marasigan was joined by Vice Mayor Catherine Jaurigue Perez and Juan Paulo Calamlam, a Senior History Researcher from the National Historical Institute, along with other city officials and employees.