Time is a resource that is very important but often overlooked. ” Other than its social and economic value, time is something that can unite us Filipinos,” said DOST Secretary Mario G. Montejo.

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) once again leads the whole nation in observance of the National Time Consciousness Week (NTCN) from January 4-8, 2016 as it enjoins all Filipinos to synchronize their watches with the official Philippine Standard Time (PhST) provided by DOST’s Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Service Administration (PAGASA).

The initiative aims to create a culture of discipline among Filipinos characterized by punctuality to show respect to the value of time and to other people, a shift from the so-called “Filipino Time altitude,

DOST’s campaign called “Juan Time was launched in September 2011 to promote the use of the PhST and help achieve this culture of punctuality by synching watches, clocks and even bundy clocks in offices.

The campaign helped push for the enactment of the Republic Act 10535 or the Philippine Standard Time Act of 2013 which was signed into law by President Benigno S. Aquino in May 2013.

RA 10535 requires all national and local government offices as well as broadcasting company to display PhST in their sources and declared the first week of every year as National Time Consciousness Week.

The DOST as a kickoff activity for the first ever observance of the NTCW in 2014, led all government offices in the country in a simultaneous holding of their first flag ceremony for the year at exactly 8 am, Philippine Standard Time on January 6, 2014. (PSciJourn MegaManila).