TODAY, June 24, is the feast of Saint John the Baptist more popularly called by the locals as "San Juan."
Saint John was the one who baptized Jesus Christ at Jordan river including other repentant followers.
If not for the coronavirus disease pandemic, people would surely love to go to the beach in line with the feast as it has been a yearly tradition among Filipinos.
Tradition has it that people would splash pails of water at vehicles passing by the streets. People are used to this annual tradition that everyone expects to get drenched on this day.
Luckily, most of the private beaches in Barangay Punta-Taytay, Bacolod City, are open for those who would want to celebrate the feast of Saint John the Baptist amid the Covid-19 pandemic
Arlene, a staff of Villarosa beach in Punta-Taytay, said that they just open the beach to the public but due to the risk of Covid-19, a smaller number of people come and do not stay long.
On San Juan, which is also the feast of the village, they still expect less people would come and take a dip in the beach with families due to Covid-19.
They also carry out the standard health protocol where beachgoers are required to wear face masks and observe social distancing among others.
In EB Magalona, however, Mayor Marvin Malacon has issued a directive banning beachgoers from celebrating the feast.
In view of the Covid-19 pandemic, the celebration of the 'Pista ng San Juan' on Wednesday, June 24, 2020, all persons are prohibited from engaging in leisure activities such as picnics and swimming in public and private beaches, resorts, rivers, and similar recreational areas in the Municipality of E. B. Magalona.
"Barangay captains of coastal barangays, and areas with resorts, rivers and similar recreational areas are enjoined to mobilize their respective barangay tanods in order to monitor and secure compliance with this notice," he said.
Currently, EB Magalona maintains a quarantine center intended for returning overseas Filipino workers.