GOVPH

As the New Year approaches, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) once again emphasizes the importance of responsible time management for personal and national growth through the Oras Pinas, the National Time Consciousness Week.

Focusing on this year's theme, Oras Pinas: Tara Na! Kilos Na! This campaign calls on Filipinos to take decisive action towards personal and collective growth by reflecting and observing effective ways on time management, which could lead to empowered communities, enhanced productivity, and a secured future.

In an age filled with distractions, the importance of respecting and valuing one's time is often overlooked, which can lead to inconvenience and misunderstandings, affecting relationships with family, friends, coworkers, and communities in ways that are frequently underestimated. The demands of modern life and the constant influx of diversions contribute to the neglect of responsible time management.

As the New Year unfolds, DOST emphasizes that responsible time management is not just about the ticking of the clock, but about creating a ripple effect across society. The department envisions a broader societal impact, recognizing that valuing each other’s time is foundational to businesses, relationships, and community development.

The 2025 theme speaks directly to the core issue, urging Filipinos to cultivate a culture that treats time as a precious resource. "Oras Pinas: Tara Na! Kilos Na!" embodies enthusiasm, vibrancy, and a commitment to building a responsible and progressive society.

At the heart of this year’s campaign is the emphasis on managing commitments and responsibilities as essential components of personal and collective growth. The DOST aims to instill the value of time management, especially among young professionals, highlighting its significant impact on future success. By understanding the importance of time from an early age, the department believes that young Filipinos can better shape their personal and professional paths.

The Philippine Standard Time (PhST) Act of 2013

This campaign is in alignment with the Philippine Standard Time (PhST) Act of 2013, which promotes the "Pilipino Time" initiative under Republic Act No. 10535. This law mandates national and local government agencies and broadcasting companies to follow and display the PhST in their offices, fostering unity and efficiency in public administration.

The DOST’s Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) serves as the official timekeeper for the nation. While the PhST was officially established by law, the campaign initially launched in 2011 as “Juan Time” – a play on the terms "One Time" (indicating a unified time) and "Juan," a common name for Filipinos. Two years ago, the campaign was rebranded to "Oras Pinas," with the goal of promoting a culture of punctuality and unity around a standardized time.

The synchronization of time is achieved through advanced technology. Since 2003, DOST-PAGASA has utilized a rubidium atomic clock, one of the two most widely used atomic clocks in the world, alongside the more accurate cesium clock. This atomic clock is equipped with a GPS receiver that captures time signals from at least four orbiting satellites. These satellites, each with atomic clocks, are periodically synchronized with a cesium clock based in Boulder, Colorado, ensuring that the DOST-PAGASA clock remains in sync with Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).

For those who wish to synchronize their timepieces, the official Oras Pinas time can be accessed through the DOST-PAGASA website at http://bagong.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/.

For more updates on the Oras Pinas campaign, please visit the official DOST Philippines Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/DOSTph.