CEBU CITY, Philippines—Devotees of Señor Sto. Niño from Cebu Province and other provinces are urged not to come to Cebu City for the Fiesta Señor celebrations from January 7 to 16, 2022.
Councilor Philip Zafra, the chairperson of the peace and order, said that the city is not putting up the devotee city this year to avoid crowding amid the pandemic and because the city is still recovering from the devastation left by super typhoon Odette.
“Wala tay Devotee City karon so we urge them katong mga devotees gikan sa lain-laing probinsya, ayaw nalang mog anhi. Adto lang ta magnovena sa iya-iyang parokya,” said Zafra in a phone interview.
(We won’t have a Devotee City this year so we urge them, the devotees from other provinces, not to come here. Let’s just hold the novenas in our respective parishes.)
Parishes are urged to hold their own Fiesta Señor novenas so the public will no longer go to the Basilica Minore Del Sto. Niño.
Even if devotees go to the Basilica, they cannot attend the novena mass physically as the public is only allowed a short visit inside the Basilica compound.
The masses can only be attended by the clergy and these will be broadcasted through online platforms.
Road closure
Zafra also reminded the public that starting January 7, roads surrounding the Basilica will be closed to motorists.
Police personnel will be deployed at the entrances and exits to monitor the movement of the public in and out of the Basilica.
Devotees visiting the Basilica are urged not to bring their children to avoid crowding in the line. Younger children are prone to movement and may cause disruption.
Children below 12 years old are also not yet qualified for the vaccination, which means they are vulnerable to COVID-19 infection.
With the threat of the Omicron variant, Zafra urged parents not to take risks.
Vaccinated or not, the councilor remind the public to always follow the health protocols should they decide to go to the Basilica for a visit.
As for those who wish to witness the opening motorcade on the dawn of January 7, they must observe social distancing and health protocols along the route.
They cannot follow the motorcade at all as only 10 vehicles are allowed to join, but they may watch along the streets.
“Dili lang gyod nato kalimtan nga naa pay COVID,” said the councilor.
(Let’s not forget that COVID is still here.)
Councilor Joel Garganera, the deputy chief implementor of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), said that the Basilica friars have been very cooperative with their protocols.
He said that with the plans laid in place, the Fiesta Señor should not be concerning as a source of outbreak for COVID-19.
/bmjo
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