TACLOBAN CITY-Due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the local government of Tacloban under Mayor Alfred S. Romualdez has decided to support only the Church activities as the city celebrate this year’s 131st fiesta celebration.
According to l City Tourism Operations (CTOO) Officer-in-Charge, Annabelle Bardot Atillo, Mayor Romualdez has ordered the cancellation of activities related to the city’s fiesta such as the Sangyaw Parade of Lights, concerts and other social gatherings due to COVID-19 situation here in the city. However, the mayor expressed his support for religious activities, she said.
On Monday,( June 29), a vigil mass will be celebrated by Bishop Filomeno Bactol, at the Sto. Niño Parish this 5:00 pm. After this, a motorcade followed at 6:30 p.m wherein Taclobanons were urged to put up an altar with Sto. Niño images and other religious articles in front of their houses for the blessing.
Today, June 30 (Feast Day), Palo Archbishop John Du and Naval Bishop Rex Ramirez will respectively officiate the Pontifical Mass at 9:30 A.M and 6:00 pm.
Apart from that, a fluvial procession will be done at 2:00 pm in Tacloban City Port and at 4:00 pm on the same day, a motorcade of the three Sr. Sto. Niño images such as the El Teniente, El Capitan, and El Sargento will be conducted around the city, as the CTOO prepared the pick-up floats to be used on the said activity.
To ensure that the precautionary measures will be observed, Rizal Rizal will serve as an extension venue for all the Holy Masses. “Tents, chairs as well as audiovisual system are in place so that churchgoers can participate in the religious celebration, “ Atillo said.
This year’s fiesta celebration carries the theme: “ Steadfast Faith in Sr. Sto Niño: Our Source of Hope and Protection Amid Pandemic.” (K.E. Napala/CIO)
