Amendment to Panatang Makabayan
DepED ORDER
No. 004, s. 2023

1. Through Republic Act (RA) No. 1265, known as An Act Making Flag Ceremony Compulsory in All Educational Institutions, the Secretary of Education has been authorized and directed to issue or cause to be issued rules and regulations for the proper conduct of the flag ceremony.

2. Subsequently, RA 8491, known as the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines and its Implementing Rules and Regulations, both reiterated the authority of DepEd to issue orders on the observance of the flag ceremony for primary and secondary schools and other institutions of learning.


 
3. Consequently, through the initiative of the Office of the Undersecretary for Curriculum and Teaching (OUCT), various organizations were consulted with regard to the change of terminology in the Panatang Makabayan, in particular the use of nananalangin in lieu of nagdarasal. The Linguistic Society of the Philippines found the proposal for the use of nananalangin to be well-written and sufficiently rationalized. The Pambansang Samahan sa Linggwistika at Literaturang Filipino agreed with the use of nananalangin because it is more inclusive, more solemn, and the choice for nananalangin is well thought of and extensively researched. The Language Study Center of the Philippine Normal University had a different opinion but expressed its support for the final decision of OUCT on this matter. With these consultations, oucr recommended that nananalangin be used instead of nagdarasal primarily because the nananalangin is inherent and integral in Filipino identities as it is rooted in Tagalog. Likewise, it is more inclusive and appropriate as it does not refer to or specify religions, and at the same time, it encompasses indigenous belief systems. Second, as expressed by the focal persons representing the Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples and the individuals belonging to Muslim and Moro communities, dalangin and its equivalents may be more preferred than dasal since dalangin is more spiritual and universal. Finally, based on the data provided by the Philippine Bible Society, native words are preferred when Bible is being translated into different Philippine languages.

 4. From the foregoing and consistent with the authority and directive granted to the Secretary of Education, the Secretary has determined the need to amend the existing Panatang Makabayan, in accordance with the recommendations of various experts and linguists. Thus, the amended Panatang Makabayan is as follows: 

5. The Panatang Makabayan shall be recited during the flag-raising ceremony, during class, and as part of the daily school activity program in all public and private schools and DepEd Offices.
 
6. This Order shall take effect immediately upon its approval, issuance, and publication on the DepEd website. Certified copies of this Order shall be registered with the Office of the National Administrative Register (ONAR) at the University of the Philippines Law Center (UP LC), UP Diliman, Quezon City.

7. Immediate dissemination of and strict compliance with this Order is directed.


ZARA Z. DUTERTE
Vice President of the Philippines
Secretary of the Department of Education

DepED ORDER
No. 004, s. 2023
DOWNLOAD
------------

Complete MELCs with CG Codes and Guidelines for Kinder to Grade 12 in all subjects: DOWNLOAD
Guide for Teachers in use of MELCS: DOWNLOAD