THE DEPARTMENT of Education directed its field offices to join the celebration of the 500th anniversary of the Battle of Mactan on April 27, 2021.

“As an education institution, we should always retell the gallantry and nobleness of our heroes. Our learners must always remember what heroes have done for us to attain Philippine independence,” Education Secretary Leonor Briones said.

DepEd offices and schools nationwide will participate in the simultaneous flag-raising ceremonies at 8 a.m. on April 27, the Quincentennial D-Day of the victory of Lapulapu at the Battle of Mactan.

The main ceremony will be led by the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Presidential Communications Operations Office with President Rodrigo Duterte and other government dignitaries in attendance.

Those who will join the flag-raising ceremonies in schools and offices must strictly observe health and safety protocols set by the Inter-Agency Task Force. Personnel under work from home are expected to watch the event via the social media pages of the DILG and PCOO.

To make the celebration more meaningful, the department encouraged supervisors and teachers, especially in Araling Panlipunan and Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao, to conduct activities that honor and highlight the achievement of Filipino heroes and workers.

The Philippine Flag must also be hung and displayed in all DepEd offices and schools on April 20-27, 2021, the memo noted.

Meanwhile, educators were encouraged to participate in the online lectures to be conducted by the National Quincentennial Committee. The portal [https://portal.nqc.gov.ph/] offers free lectures about Philippine history and culture.