‘Celebrate St. John the Baptist’s feast without wasting water’

MANILA, Philippines – On the eve of the feast day of Saint John the Baptist, the Catholic Bishop Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) reminded the public on Sunday to “be smart enough not to waste water for the sake of merriment”

The advice of Rev. Fr. Jerome Secillano, Executive Secretary of CBCP Permanent Committee on Public Affairs stemmed from the water supply shortage gripping some parts of Metro Manila.

Secillano said that the public could still celebrate the feast day of Saint John without wasting water.

“Those who will celebrate the feast of St. John the Baptist should be smart enough not to waste water for the sake of merriment especially in this time of water shortage,” Secillano said in an interview with Radyo Veritas.

“The lack of ‘water splashing’ should not dampen their fiesta spirit. Fiesta, after all, is a joyous celebration of faith and not of some mundane cultural traditions or customs,” he added.

The feast of Saint John the Baptist is celebrated every 24th day of June, marked by the liberal splashing water to simulate the act of baptism during the time of Christ.

According to the monitoring of the state weather bureau, the water level at Angat Dam dipped to 159.43 meters as of 6 a.m. of Sunday.

The recorded water level is already below the dam’s critical water level that is 160 meters.

READ: Angat Dam water level further dips below critical level
Water concessionaires have earlier announced rotational water supply interruptions in various areas in Metro Manila.  (Editor: Gilbert S. Gaviola)