QC’s Belmonte bans processions, parades, Santacruzan this 2022

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte before the City Council. | Contributed photo

MANILA, Philippines — Mayor Joy Belmonte is limiting the conduct of traditional mass gatherings during various community celebrations, including religious fiestas, in different barangays in Quezon City in the coming months to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

In her Memorandum No. 02-22, Belmonte prohibits activities such as processions, parades, Santacruzan, and the like during barangay and religious fiestas and services, the Chinese New Year, or other community celebrations.

She also banned other public celebrations involving mass gatherings, including fairs, perya, variety shows, fireworks displays, ati-atihan, or other public performances.

“Public games and contests, such as pageants, singing or band contests, bingo, pabitin, paluan ng palayok, agawan, or tug of war are also prohibited,” she said. “Tournaments, group contact sports such as basketball, public buffets, and boodle fights are also not allowed.”

She likewise barred public drinking, including drinking outdoors or on sidewalks, group videoke or other celebratory gatherings that violate social distancing, noise pollution or other noise nuisances due to excessive merrymaking and commingling of multiple households through large parties or traditional “open door” fiesta celebrations.

However, the local government chief allowed certain activities for individuals who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, subject to social distancing and other applicable health protocols.

These include modest celebrations conducted inside the home and among the immediate household; such as masses and other religious solemnities; religious or traditional rituals for purposes of blessing buildings or establishments; and celebrations conducted primarily for an online audience, with very limited physical attendance.

Belmonte also permitted the conduct of Dragon Dance or Lion Dance activities to observe and celebrate the forthcoming Chinese New Year, provided they will be held in one designated area only and cordoned off from the general public. Participants must likewise be fully vaccinated.

The City’s Law and Order Cluster, regulatory departments, barangays, and the Quezon City Police District are mandated to enforce the latest guidelines issued by Belmonte.