The Archdiocese of Zamboanga has announced that for the first time, there will be no grand procession during the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival 2020 due to the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (Covid-19).
Rev. Fr. Marciano Villagracia, Archdiocese of Zamboanga spokesperson told RPN DXXX Zamboanga, “There will be no grand procession but the Interagency Task Force allowed mobile procession to be determined later as to how many.”
The procession is usually, scheduled on October 12, at 3pm where the procession starts from the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception to the Fort Pilar Shrine.
“We will follow IATF guidelines that we should avoid mass gatherings.” Villagracia said.
Strict health protocol will also be implemented inside the Fort Pilar Shrine where there will be temperature check, foot bath, quarantine passes and identification cards will be checked, and the wearing of mask.
Inside the Fort Pilar during the mass on October 12 and novenas only 500 will be allowed to comply with the physical distancing.
He remind all devotees to follow the health protocols and continue to thank Nuestra Señora La Virgen del Pilar for her protection and intercession.
The celebration of the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival is in honor of the city’s patron saint Nuestra Señora La Virgen del Pilar. (R.G. Antonet A. Go)
(Source: Interview with Rev. Fr. Marciano Villagracia, Archdiocese of Zamboanga spokesperson)