Independence Flagpole
{{Short description|Flagpole in Manila, Philippines}}
{{for|the flagpole in New York City|Independence Flagstaff}}
{{Infobox building
| name = Independence Flagpole
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
| image = Rizal Park (Manila; 07-22-2020).jpg
| image_size =
| caption = The flagpole in 2020
| former_names =
| location = Rizal Park, Manila, Philippines
| coordinates = {{coord|14.58155|120.97660|format=dms|type:landmark_region:PH|display=inline,title}}
| start_date =
| stop_date =
| est_completion =
| topped_out_date =
| completion_date =
| opened_date =
| inauguration_date =
| relocated_date =
| renovation_date = September 2013
| closing_date =
| demolition_date =
| cost =
| ren_cost = {{Philippine peso|7.8 million|link=yes}}
| height = {{Convert|45.72|m|ft|abbr=on}}
| material = Q345 steel
| ren_architect =
| ren_firm =
| ren_engineer = Manila South Engineering District
| ren_str_engineer =
| ren_serv_engineer =
| ren_civ_engineer =
| ren_oth_designers =
| ren_qty_surveyor =
| ren_contractor = AKH Construction
}}
The Independence Flagpole or the Philippine National Flagpole{{cite news|last1=De Jesus|first1=Julliane Love|title=Government defends P7.8-M flagpole|url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/476307/government-defends-p7-8-m-flagpole|access-date=3 June 2016|publisher=The Philippine Daily Inquirer|date=28 August 2013}} is a {{Convert|45.72|m|ft|abbr=on}} flagpole located near the Rizal Monument in Rizal Park in Manila, Philippines. It is the highest flagpole in the country.{{cite news|title=Pinakamataas na flag pole sa bansa, sumailalim sa renovation|trans-title=Highest flagpole in the country underwent a renovation|url=http://loadtest.abs-cbnnews.com/video/nation/metro-manila/02/04/16/pinakamataas-na-flag-pole-sa-bansa-sumailalim-sa-renovation|access-date=3 June 2016|publisher=ABS-CBN News|date=4 February 2016|language=Filipino}}
History
File:Philippine Independence, July 4 1946.jpg
The Independence Flagpole was the location where the Philippine flag was hoisted on July 4, 1946, when full independence was achieved from the United States. The flagpole was designed to be at {{Convert|45.72|m|ft|abbr=on}} high but was damaged by Typhoon Angela (Rosing) in 1995 reducing the flagpole's height to just {{Convert|32|m|ft|abbr=on}}.{{cite web|title=Statement: DOT on the Rizal Park Independence Flagpole Project|url=https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2013/08/29/statement-dot-on-the-rizal-park-independence-flagpole-project/|website=Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines|access-date=3 June 2016|date=29 August 2013}}
=Restoration=
Plans to restore the flagpole's original height was proposed in 2011 by the National Parks Development Committee (NPDC) of the Department of Tourism. The renovation project is one of the government body's commemorative projects for the 150th anniversary of Jose Rizal's birth. The NPDC requested funds and assistance from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for the project which later underwent a public bidding that amounted to {{Philippine peso|7,865,425.30|link=yes}}.
The flagpole's structural integrity was reinforced and a mechanized pulley in lieu of the manual pulley{{cite news|last1=Esplanada|first1=Jerry|last2=Santos|first2=Tina|title=P8M Rizal Park flagpole ‘not overpriced’|url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/476001/p8m-rizal-park-flagpole-not-overpriced|access-date=3 June 2016|publisher=Philippine Daily Inquirer|date=28 August 2013}} was installed along with a marble base. The renovation project was implemented by the DPWH's Manila South Engineering District while the project contractor was AKH Construction. The material used for the new flagpole is Q345 steel. The steel and two cranes of the flag pole were both imported from Hong Kong. The flagpole's construction took less than a month and was finished in September 2013.{{cite news|last1=Carcamo|first1=Dennis|title=Remember that pricey Luneta flagpole?|url=http://www.philstar.com/nation/2014/08/28/1362708/remember-that-pricey-luneta-flagpole|access-date=3 June 2016|publisher=The Philippine Star|date=28 August 2014}} The newer flagpole was divided into three segments. The old flagpole was moved to the Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, Cavite.
The project details of the flagpole restoration went viral and was a subject of controversy due to its price which critics found overpriced. There were also concerns regarding the structural integrity of the newer flagpole. The DPWH defended the project emphasizing the flag's historical value and assured the public that a structural analysis has been conducted. They also emphasized that the renovation project planned as early as since 2011 went through a bidding process and justified the cost citing the improvements then to be made for the flagpole.
In February 2016, another renovation work was commenced. The marble based was demolished and new lighting were installed at the flagpole's base. The contractor was G.F. Fabian Construction and the cost of the project was {{Philippine peso|1.3 million}}.{{cite news|title=Drone video shows another P1.3M Luneta flag pole project|url=http://news.abs-cbn.com/nation/metro-manila/02/04/16/watch-drone-video-shows-another-p13m-luneta-flag-pole-project|access-date=3 June 2016|publisher=ABS-CBN News|date=5 February 2016}}
Since October 2019 a monthly national flag raising ceremony has been held there every first Monday of the month, open to the public, echoing similar ceremonies in Beijing's Tiananmen Square and Santiago's Plaza de la Ciudadania.
Markers
The base of the Independence Flagpole contains the following markers:
{{Gallery
| File:Marker1IndependenceFlagpoleManila01Jul2018.jpg
| Indicating the First Cabinet of the President and the First Supreme Court of the Philippines
| File:Marker2IndependenceFlagpoleManila01Jul2018.jpg
| Indicating the members of the First Congress of the Philippines
| File:Marker3IndependenceFlagpoleManila01Jul2018.jpg
| Indicating the members of the Joint Executive Committee for the Inauguration of the Republic of the Philippines
| File:Marker4IndependenceFlagpoleManila01Jul2018.jpg
| Indicating the requirement that the flag of the Philippines be flown permanently, pursuant to the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines (Republic Act No. 8491)
}}