Title
Philippine Standard Time Act of 2013
Law
Republic Act No. 10535
Decision Date
May 15, 2013
The Philippine Standard Time Act mandates the synchronization of official time across all government offices and public places, establishes a National Time Consciousness Week, and imposes penalties for non-compliance to promote time awareness nationwide.
A

Display of the Philippine Standard Time

  • All national and local government offices must display PST on official time devices.
  • Includes bundy clocks and other official clocks.
  • Must synchronize with PAGASA's official time provided via network time protocol.
  • Monthly coordination with PAGASA for synchronization is required.

Monitoring, Maintenance, and Dissemination of PST

  • PAGASA, as the Time Service Unit, tasked with monitoring, maintaining, and disseminating PST nationwide.
  • Coordination with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) mandated.
  • PAGASA to operate and maintain a timekeeping system.
  • Installation and maintenance of large synchronized time devices in PAGASA field stations and key public places.

Procurement of Equipment for Automatic Time Dissemination

  • Procurement of equipment using GPS technology to automatically disseminate time.
  • Procurement subject to Republic Act No. 9184 (Government Procurement Reform Act).
  • DOST responsible as procurement overseer.

General Appropriations

  • Funding for implementation allocated under PAGASA’s budget within the DOST in the General Appropriations Act.
  • Annual funding for upgrading and maintenance of the timekeeping system included in DOST and PAGASA budgets.

Role of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC)

  • NTC to require participation of all government and private TV and radio stations.
  • Ensures time synchronization even in remote areas.

Violations and Penalties

  • NTC has jurisdiction to enforce compliance by writ of injunction or other processes.
  • Private TV and radio stations failing to synchronize with PST liable to fines from ₱30,000 to ₱50,000.
  • Second offense leads to revocation and cancellation of broadcasting franchise.
  • Collected fines deposited into the National Treasury’s general fund.

Information Campaign

  • All government offices and schools (public and private) must conduct continuing campaigns.
  • Campaign focuses on the value of time and respect for others’ time.
  • Aims to promote synchronization of official time.

Institutionalization of National Time Consciousness Week

  • The first week of every year declared as National Time Consciousness Week.
  • This is to raise awareness on the importance of time and synchronization.

Implementing Guidelines

  • PAGASA, in coordination with DOST, NTC, DOTC, DILG, DND, DOH, DepED, and CHED, to issue implementing guidelines.
  • Guidelines cover calibration, synchronization, and effective implementation.
  • Must be promulgated within 90 days from the effectivity of the Act.

Separability Clause

  • If any provision declared invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions remain effective.

Repealing Clause

  • Laws, decrees, orders, or rules inconsistent with this Act are repealed or amended accordingly.

Effectivity

  • Act takes effect 15 days after publication in the Official Gazette or two newspapers of general circulation.

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