The Diocese of Balanga announced that it will cancel fiestas and festivals, such as the traditional “Santacruzan” due to the prevailing coronavirus pandemic.
“Let me remind and fully reiterate that the war against COVID-19, its variants, and possible mutants, is not yet over, and may I say is far from over,” said Bishop Ruperto Santos of Balanga.
In a pastoral directive, the prelate said motorcades, processions, “flores de mayo” celebrations, street dancing, fiesta games, fluvial parades, should be suspended.
“We might as well do something to fight the spread and possible casualties of this war,” said the prelate, as he noted the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the country.
Bishop Santos said even church people, including priests, are being infected “and the least being contact traced.”
“We must not slow down, nor even slide a bit,” he said, adding that “We must not bargain the health protocols to satisfy our whims” through “unsafe religious practices that would hamper the common good and safety of our people.”
“We must not be reluctant to practice our faith with the most solid action of resistance against this battle of COVID-19 pandemic to save the flock of the Good Shepherd,” said the bishop.
“We must stay sober and alert,” he added.
On Tuesday, total active COVID-9 cases in the country rose to 173,047 as the Department of Health reported 8,122 new infections.
The new cases brought the country’s total COVID-19 cases to 892,880.
The Health department said active cases represent 19.4 percent of the total count, while recoveries account for 78.9 percent and deaths make up 1.73 percent.
