Mayor Benjamin Magalong of Baguio City (file photo)
Amid the threat of the deadly 2019 Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), local government units in Luzon had either canceled or postponed previously scheduled events and other crowd-drawing activities as precautionary measures to contain the spread of the virus.
Bontoc, Mountain Province Mayor Franklyn Odsey announced that all crowd-drawing and tourist activities are indefinitely suspended, further not recommending gatherings of at least 100 persons, such as family reunions, sports competitions, homecomings, while graduation rites are allowed but should not go beyond five hours.
On the day President Rodrigo Duterte declared a state of public health emergency, Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong canceled the 25th Baguio Flower Festival, including the grand street dancing and float parades and all small festival pocket events.
Also postponed is the Cordillera Administrative Region Athletic Association meet while the city’s night market will also be temporarily suspended in the next 14 days, all meant to reduce big crowd gatherings.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec)-Baguio has even stopped the ongoing voter’s registration until March 31.
In Pangasinan, the provincial board has suspended all upcoming barangay fiestas and Sangguniang Kabataan activities.
Still in Pangasinan, the scheduled Career Service Examination in Lingayen has been deferred to a date to be announced later.
Two grand town fiestas in Bayambang, Nueva Ecija and Calasiao, Pangasinan had been canceled in place of a nine-day novena, a procession, fireworks display, whole day medical mission and even a fund-raising activity to alleviate poverty.
Meanwhile, the Clark Development Corporation (CDC) has mandated to indefinitely postpone all festival and sports events scheduled inside the Freeport, including the already ticketed Clark Hot Air Balloon Festival.
In Pampanga, Angeles City Mayor Carmelo Lazatin Jr. canceled the famous Holy Week ritual of real-life crucifixion in Barangays Lourdes Northwest and San Pedro Cutud.
In the province of Nueva Ecija, the Catholic Church has canceled its pastoral visit and Mass confession undertaken during Holy Week. (Jojo Mangahis)