- MITCH M. LIPA
Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia suspended the public celebration of the traditional St. John the Baptist on June 24, and prohibited water splashing or any similar acts, amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
In Executive Order 32 dated June 19, Leonardia said San Juan public celebration, like excursions, picnics, revelries and similar activities on June 24, is suspended to stem the local spread of COVID-19 infections.
Any traditional practice/custom of water splashing and/or any similar acts, committed/done in public, or at any place, such as public streets/roads/sidewalks, workplace, churches, or open places at public roads/streets/alleys/parks/squares, shorelines/beaches, and the like, is hereby prohibited, the EO stated.
“Any violation of this provision shall cause the prosecution for unjust vexation under the second paragraph of Article 287 of the Revised Penal Code of the Philippines, as amended by Section 73 of Republic Act 10951,” the EO added.
Leonardia said he and other city officials met with concerned business operators on June 18 in Brgy. Punta Taytay, and on June 19, for barangays Granada and Alangilan, to obtain their cooperation in suspending business operations on June 24.
“With public health and safety concerns having been taken up and well-considered by the Emergency Operations Center, especially the existing imminent threat to the life and safety of the constituents of Bacolod City and its neighboring local government units, this EO becomes indispensable for stricter measures in the conduct of businesses and activities during the Feast of St. John the Baptist…that may cause the unwanted spread and indiscriminate contagion of the infection,” Leonardia said.
Barangay Punta Taytay Captain Leah Palma said resort owners do not expect a big number of beachgoers this year, so they agreed to stop their operations on Thursday.
She added that they adhered to the request of Leonardia and other city officials to help put a stop to the surging cases of COVID in Bacolod.
Eleven resort owners from Punta Taytay and a number of operators in Barangay Pahanocoy attended the meeting Friday.
Palma clarified that after June 24, all resorts will reopen for normal operations with strict observance of the minimum health protocols.
She admitted that since the start of the pandemic last year, there had been a big drop in the number of beachgoers, especially on weekends, unlike before when hundreds of residents from different barangays and neighboring LGUs stayed in beach resorts as part of their weekend breaks.
The city officials thanked the resorts and café owners in barangays Punta Taytay and Pahanocoy for their cooperation since the one day closure is a big boost to the continuing efforts to contain the spread of the virus.
Palma and Barangay Captain Yolanda “Bebeng” Noble of Pahanocoy also expressed their full support and were asked by the mayor to monitor strictly the compliance to the EO.
EOC executive director Em Ang said that, at this time, when the COVID-19 numbers are still high, the cooperation of everybody is a must.
“So, we appeal to the general public to refrain from going to beaches and resorts this coming San Juan fiesta,” Ang said. – MML
