The House Bill 6905 allowing people to adjust their wristwatches and clocks to a more appropriate time authored by Rep. Magtanggol Gunigundo of Valenzuela City has passed the House’s third and final reading. “By synchronizing the official watches and clocks in the entire archipelago, all Filipinos can sing the national anthem at the same time,” Gunigundo said.

He stressed that all national and local government offices shall display the Philippine Standard Time (PST) on their official time devices, including bundy clocks, in accordance with the official time provided by the
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) using its network time protocol.

“With a set PST, we can welcome a new year in unison, blend time sensitive chemical mixtures like medicines and food ingredients and synchronize security locks and other devices,” Gunigundo said.

Under the bill, the Pagasa’s time unit, in coordination with the Department of Science and Technology shall be tasked to monitor, maintain and disseminate the PST throughout the country.

The measure mandates the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to require the participation of all government and private television and radio stations to ensure that synchronization can be undertaken even in remote parts of the country.

Gunigundo said an established PST can run air, land and sea transportation lines and develop appreciation of punctuality and practice the use of time wisely to be more productive at home, school and the workplace.

The bill has been transmitted to the Senate for plenary action.
JOMAR CANLAS