The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) today said that all local government units (LGUs) will conduct simultaneous flag raising ceremonies to celebrate the 500th anniversary of Lapu-lapu’s Victory at Mactan on April 27, 8 AM and urges the public to emulate the heroism of our ancestors by “conquering yet another battle this time against COVID-19.”

“The 500th Anniversary of the Victory of Mactan reminds us of the heroism and bravery of the Filipino race. As we commemorate our ancestors’ heroism, may we all find heroes within ourselves by being part of the solution in conquering yet another battle, this time against COVID-19,” he added.

Año said that just as the Battle of Mactan had shown that Filipinos are great warriors who are willing to stand up against foreign aggressors, the present pandemic situation calls for the same commitment to wage a war against the coronavirus through concerted efforts, cooperation, and discipline.

“Just like the Victory at Mactan 500 years ago, we too can prevail and emerge triumphant against COVID-19. Let us hold on and we will eventually recover and rise stronger and more resilient as a people from this pandemic,” he said.

April 27, 2021 marks the quincentennial of the victory of Lapulapu and his men in Mactan against the Spaniards which is part of the quincentennial commemorations in the country which include the introduction of Christianity in the Philippines and the role of the country in the first circumnavigation of the world.

Through DILG Memorandum Circular (MC) 2021-023, government offices and LGUs are urged to spruce up historical landmarks, monuments, and plazas in time for the simultaneous flag-raising ceremony at 8 a.m. on April 27 in support of the 2021 National Quincentennial Commemorations in the Philippines.

LGUs may also participate in the Quincentennial D-Day by offering flowers and wreaths at the pedestals of local and national heroes and other illustrious figures in their localities; hanging and displaying Philippine flags in public spaces until April 27, 2021; and illuminating in blue at 6 p.m. the government edifices, monuments, and other public spaces to celebrate the country’s maritime civilization and our ancient maritime ancestors.

The DILG likewise encouraged LGUs to stream the conduct of the public events online and to share the Quincentennial features and postings found on the official social media pages of the National Quincentennial Committee (NQC) and Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) on or before the D-Day in their respective social media pages.

In the conduct of said activities, Año reminded participating LGUs to strictly observe minimum public health standards in line with the guidelines approved by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID).

Unveiling of historical markers

Meanwhile, DILG Undersecretary and Quincentennial Committee Member Jonathan E. Malaya said that in cooperation with LGUs, the scheduled unveiling of 34 historical markers will continue to be held between March 16 and October 28, 2021 in various parts of the country.

The first of the 34 historical markers was unveiled on March 16 in Suluan Island, Guian, Eastern Samar.

According to Malaya, the marking of the sites of the Philippine route of the Magellan-Elcano expedition is in solidarity with the international project of tracing the route of the unprecedented achievement of humanity that proved that the Earth was round.

Original Article at: https://dilg.gov.ph/news/DILG-LGUs-to-hold-simultaneous-flag-ceremony-on-500th-Victory-at-Mactan-Anniversary-on-April-27-urges-public-to-conquer-battle-vs-COVID-19/NC-2021-1077