Cebu City Community Holds Religious Festival Despite ECQ Protocol

Photos of a religious festival held on Saturday, June 28, in Sitio Alumnos, Barangay Basak San Nicolas, Cebu City have been circulating online. Despite the ongoing enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in the city, wherein mass gatherings are prohibited, residents were seen lining up for a procession—they also gathered to witness a ceremonial dance. 

Barangay Basak San Nicolas posted an official statement on their Facebook page, noting that the fiesta happened without the knowledge of their barangay captain, Norman Navarro. 

Meanwhile, Cebu City Mayor Edgar Labella has issued a show cause order to the barangay officials of the said community. "It is apparent from the occurrence that the barangay has been too complacent in implementing the clear mandate of the law and has been negligent in its duty to enforce the Executive Order," as stated on the show case order. These community leaders are being given 24 hours from the receipt of the notice to explain why they should not be held administratively liable for "gross negligence and dereliction of duty." 

As of writing, Cebu City has a total of 4,490 cases of the coronavirus disease.

After a marked rise in COVID-19 cases, President Rodrigo Duterte has placed the city back to a stricter enhanced community quarantine last June 16. It was under general community quarantine (GCQ) from June 1 to 15.

*Main image used for illustration purposes only