Law Summary
Guiding Principles on Importance of Time Synchronization
- Constitution recognizes communication and information vital for nation-building (Art. II, Sec. 24).
- Synchronizing time supports social, legal, political, religious, military, and economic functions.
- Promotes national unity in ceremonies, transport schedules, commerce, and security operations.
- Encourages culture of punctuality and wise time management for higher productivity.
- Accurate time essential for meteorological data gathering, air/land/sea transportation, broadcasting, and military operations.
Definitions Key to Implementation
- "Act" refers to Republic Act No. 10535, the Philippine Standard Time Act of 2013.
- "Agency of the Government" includes all government units and local government units.
- "Calibration and Synchronization" means adjustment of time devices to ensure accuracy.
- "Coordinated Universal Time (UTC)" is the world official time standard used as a basis.
- "Global Positioning System (GPS)" is an atomic-clock-based accurate time source.
- "Network Time Protocol (NTP)" ensures precise computer network clock synchronization.
- "Official Timepiece and Device" includes clocks and watches designated to reflect PhST.
- "Philippine Standard Time (PhST)" is the national official time.
- "Time Service Unit (TSU)" of PAGASA maintains national time standards and disseminates PhST.
Coverage and Applicability
- Mandatory for all national government agencies, SUCs, GOCCs, local government units.
- Applies to government and private television and radio stations, private corporations, NGOs, and civil society.
Display and Synchronization Requirements
- All government offices must display PhST prominently on official clocks and devices.
- Private TV and radio stations and corporations required to observe PhST.
- Monthly synchronization of all official timepieces coordinated with PAGASA TSU is mandatory.
- PAGASA TSU provides step-by-step synchronization procedures.
PAGASA’s Roles and Functions as Time Service Unit
- Maintain reliable and accurate timekeeping systems aligned to UTC.
- Disseminate PhST through telephone, internet (NTP servers), broadcast media, and other means.
- Monitor agency and broadcaster compliance, report to National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).
- Notify violators within 24 hours and submit monthly compliance reports to NTC.
- Install prominent synchronized time displays in field stations and public places.
- Develop schedules and specifications for time device calibration and procurement.
- Coordinate with the Department of Science and Technology for effective implementation.
Public Access to PhST
- Available through PAGASA observatories and stations, DOST offices, government units.
- Access via internet through PAGASA’s NTP server system.
- Broadcast through government and private radio/TV stations.
- Considered authoritative and valid for official reliance.
Display Obligations and Key Public Places
- Display of PhST required in all government offices, broadcast stations, private corporations.
- Key public places such as airports, seaports, expressways, government electronic boards must also display synchronized time.
Equipment Procurement Guidelines
- Procurement for automatic time dissemination equipment follows Government Procurement Reform Act and IRR.
- DOST oversees procurement activities to ensure compliance and quality.
Funding and Appropriations
- Initial funding included in PAGASA budget under DOST from General Appropriations Act.
- Ongoing maintenance and upgrades to be budgeted annually.
Role and Jurisdiction of National Telecommunications Commission (NTC)
- Ensures participation and compliance among government and private TV/radio stations nationwide.
- Authorized to enforce RA 10535 and its IRR.
- Features subpoena powers, investigative authority, and ability to issue injunctions against violations.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
- Private TV and radio station owners penalized for failure to synchronize time devices without justifiable cause.
- First offense: Fine Php 30,000–50,000 and franchise revocation.
- Acceptable deviation tolerance ±5 seconds.
- Government employees responsible for compliance may face administrative, civil, or criminal liability.
- Penalty fines remitted to the National Treasury.
Public Education and Information Campaign
- Government offices, schools, NGOs, people’s organizations to conduct information campaigns on value of time and punctuality.
- Dissemination via internet, print media, and free broadcast slots.
- Campaign to commence within 30 days of IRR approval.
National Time Consciousness Week
- Institutionalized annually during first week of January.
- Organized by PAGASA and the Science and Technology Information Institute (STII) with other agencies.
- Encourages public participation to promote punctuality and time discipline.
Repeal, Separability, and Amendments
- All inconsistent circulars, orders, or rules are repealed or modified.
- Invalidity of any provision does not affect the rest of the IRR.
- PAGASA, in coordination with relevant agencies, may amend the IRR as needed.
Effectivity
- IRR takes effect 15 days post-publication in the Official Gazette or two newspapers of general circulation.