DEVOTEES looking to attend the activities related to the feast of the Our Lady of Peñafrancia in Naga City in September 2022 are required to be fully vaccinated and boosted against coronavirus disease (Covid-19), according to the Archdiocese of Caceres.

In a joint statement with the Naga City Government, Caceres Archbishop Rolando Tirona said they have set guidelines for those looking to attend the traditional Traslacion (September 9) and Fluvial (September 17) processions.

"All who wish to participate in the Peñafrancia festivities this year in Naga City must have complied with the city's vaccination requirement," said Tirona.

This meant that those 50 years old and above should have received their second booster shots, while those 18 to 49 years old should have received their first booster doses.

As for those who are 5 to 11 years old, the prelate said they must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19.

To allow more people to be able to attend the festivities, Tirona noted that the Naga City Vaccination Operation Center has made Covid-19 vaccinations available at SM City Naga from Wednesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., while the City will also conduct jabbing activities in churches and malls from August 24 to September 4.

The prelate called on all local government units in Bicol Region to ramp up their booster vaccination for all devotees of the Our Lady of Peñafrancia.

Aside from the vaccination requirements, the Peñafrancia Fiesta Working Group said face masks should be worn at all times for the duration of the processions and all other religious and civic activities.

It added that kissing or touching the sacred images is still not allowed, although the people may be able to go near them to offer their petitions.

The devotees are also enjoined to line up along the processional routes with their rosaries, white handkerchiefs, lighted candles, and flowers as they shall be blessed by the priests as they pass by.

"We urge all devotees and pilgrims to jointly ensure the safety of all and the solemnity of the fiesta celebrations," said Tirona.

To recall, the annual Peñafrancia feast, specifically the traslación and fluvial processions, were canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)