Antipolo City cancels 'alay-lakad,' cityhood anniv gathering

The local government of Antipolo City in Rizal province is cancelling its cityhood anniversary celebration, as well as the yearly penitential "alay-lakad" and other Lenten season activities amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Ipinapaalam po sa lahat na katulad noong nakaraang taon, kinakansela po muna ang mga sumusunod na mass gatherings/events hangga’t hindi pa nawawala ang banta ng COVID-19 sa ating komunidad," according to an advisory posted by Antipolo City Mayor Andrea "Andeng" Ynares on Facebook.

(We'd like to inform everybody that like last year, the following gatherings are canceled this year due to the pandemic.)

Aside from the cityhood anniversary celebration and the "alay-lakad," the Maytime Festival is also cancelled.

The public instead is urged to join the activities online.

As of 6 p.m. of March 18, Antipolo City has 198 active COVID-19 cases.

The Antipolo City government has started its inoculation against COVID-19 with its 100 healthcare workers. --Jamil Santos/KBK, GMA News