FEAST OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST. A woman takes a video during the motorcade of San Juan City's patron saint, St. John the Baptist, along A. Luna Street in San Juan City on June 24, 2020. This year's traditional splashing of water along the city streets is prohibited by the local government due to the Covid-19 pandemic. (PNA file photo by Joey O. Razon)
MANILA – The San Juan city government is allowing its residents to celebrate the Feast of St. John the Baptist on June 24, provided that strict compliance with the health and safety protocols must be observed, Mayor Francis Zamora said on Wednesday.
In an interview, Zamora said the local police authorities and barangay officials will monitor the feast celebration within the villages to make sure that residents will still follow the minimum health standards.
He said the city's local ordinances such as limiting the mass gathering and drinking of alcoholic beverages in public places will not be lifted during the feast celebration.
Zamora has earlier issued Executive Order No. FMZ-084, stating guidelines on allowable activities during the feast.
During the observances of the feast on Thursday, residents are prohibited to do the traditional “basaan” or "water dousing practices" to avoid the Covid-19 transmission.
A family celebration of the feast is considered but limited to 10 people only, to prevent violation of physical distancing protocol.
Drinking liquor is only allowed inside residences.
"The public is also enjoined to observe the feast day by praying and viewing the procession of St. John the Baptist from inside their homes," Zamora said.
Religious activities in churches are limited to only 50 percent seating capacity.
"The prescribed minimum public health standards such as wearing of face masks and shields and social distancing must likewise be strictly observed," he said.
Zamora said this year's feast is themed “Basbasan sa Makabagong San Juan.”
The city government will, likewise, hold a solemn celebration of the feast through a blessing ceremony for the image of 'St. John the Baptist' to be initiated by the parish priest of St. John the Baptist Church at the Pinaglabanan Church in San Juan.
It will be followed by a simple float parade in selected routes in San Juan villages.
“There’s no way we can let the occasion pass without revering and honoring our patron saint despite the pandemic, although a little less colorful and lively as we have to suspend temporarily our traditional 'basaan' and street dancing, the essence of St. John’s inspiration to the San Juaneños remains with us,” Zamora said, assuring that the ceremony will strictly adhere to health and safety protocols against the Covid-19 pandemic.
Zamora said the simple celebration will serve as the city's gratefulness for surviving amid the pandemic.
“This year’s celebration is also our way of thanksgiving for the city’s steady downward trend in Covid-19 cases and for all the San Juaneños who have been part of the efforts in our fight against Covid-19”, he said.
As of Tuesday, San Juan has recorded 72 active cases, bringing the city's total confirmed cases to 9,198.
Zamora also announced that four out of 21 barangays in San Juan are now Covid-19 free.
Among the villages that have recorded zero active cases are Barangays Isabelita, St. Joseph, Pasadena, and Maytunas.
Zamora reminded his constituents not to be complacent amid the gradual decrease of active cases in the city.
San Juan has already inoculated about 66 percent of its 56,296 target population for vaccination.
"Our August timeline is very achievable," Zamora said.
The city government plans to add more vaccination sites to increase its vaccination capacity. (PNA)
