ILOILO – Towns and barangays may still celebrate their fiestas but the celebration must not involve mass gatherings, clarified Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr.
The governor issued Executive Order No. 028-B on March 10 banning large public gatherings for 45 days as a precautionary measure against the possible spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Regarding fiestas, according to Defensor, what’s prohibited are programs or activities with mass gatherings such as the coronation program for the fiesta queen, public dances and sports tournaments, among others.
Traditionally, the fiesta is a time of joyful celebration. People prepare heaps of hearty dishes, throw open their doors to visitors, and parade on the streets.
“Waay naton gin-suspend ang fiesta kay indi naton ma-suspend ang kaadlawan sang patron. Ang aton gin-suspend ang paghiwat sang public events nga damo tawo,” stressed Defensor.
People can continue preparing big meals for the celebration, he clarified.
In Spanish, fiesta means feast.
Doing away with mass gatherings during fiesta celebrations is a necessary sacrifice at this time, said Defensor.
“Temporaryo man lang ‘ni. Mas maayo nga himuon ta ‘ni subong sang sa magdaku ang problema,” he said.
The ban is an “additional disease control measure” to Defensor’s previous Executive Order No. 028 which directed the following:
* mandatory accomplishment of the “passenger declaration and health declaration card” by those entering the province via domestic and international flights or vessels
* inspection / clearing / checking of foreign vessels including the crew for COVID-19 in their second or subsequent port of entry in the province by the Bureau of Quarantine
* mobilization of barangay volunteers such as Barangay Health Workers, Barangay Nutrition Scholars and Barangay Service Point Officers to monitor and record returning residents and transient with travels from countries positive for COVID-19, and similar strains; and
* monitoring and recording of guests from tourism accommodation establishments who have travel history from affected countries/PN
