The giant Philippine flag in the municipal plaza of Santa Barbara, Iloilo where Philippine independence in the Visayas was proclaimed in 1898, will now be permanently hoisted as declared by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP). Santa Barbara plaza in Iloilo now joins a short list of places in the country where the national color is permanently hoisted 24/7 and illuminated during the night, according to NCHP Executive Director Ludovico Badoy. Badoy, Gov. Arthur Defensor, Santa Barbara Mayor Dennis Superficial and Army Col. Eric Ochida unveiled this morning a marker at the base of the flag during the occasion of the 117th anniversary of the first raising of the Philippine flag in the Visayas and Mindanao. The marker reads, " As mandated by Republic Act 8491, the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines, the Philippine flag shall be permanently hoisted on this site 24/7 throughout the year and shall be illuminated at night. " Badoy said