No parades, religious festivities in Manila amid pandemic, says Isko

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno on Wednesday said that any form of parade and related activities for the religious festivities in January will be prohibited amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Interviewed on Dobol B sa News TV, Moreno asked devotees for understanding, explaining that he is only considering their safety from the disease.

“Ito po ang posisyon ng siyudad. Ito po ay nakausap na namin 'yung mga tao sa simbahan. Sinabi namin [na] any form of parade will not be allowed,” Moreno said.

“Pagpasensiyahan niyo na ako. Patawarin nawa ako ng Diyos pero ang iniisip ko lamang ang kaligtasan niyo,” he added.

The festivities in honor of the Black Nazarene and Sto. Niño are celebrated annually in January, which usually involve processions. Both occasions are participated in by huge crowds.

Asked if the city government would allow the ‘Pahalik’ or the kissing or wiping of the image of the Black Nazarene, Moreno said the activity is also prohibited.

Moreno encouraged those opposing the city government’s decision to consider the danger in conducting processions and other related activities amid the pandemic.

“Let's be practical about our situation,” he said.

“There is danger. Let's accept facts. Let's accept science. Let's accept reality. Marami pang paraan para mapalapit sa Diyos,” he added.

The city government announced last month the cancellation of the Traslacion in January 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Although Manila recorded below 400 new cases of COVID-19 for the past two days, there is still a risk of COVID-19 transmission in the city, Moreno said.

The number of COVID-19 cases in the country increased to 432,925 on Tuesday.

Of this number, 398,782 recovered while 8,418 died. —KG, GMA News