THE "Traslacion" or grand procession of the Black Nazarene will not push through in Cagayan de Oro City this year because of the current threat of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19), the Jesus Nazareno Parish announced Tuesday, January 5, 2021.
"Definitely, wala na tay Traslacion. Wala na tong iadto didto sa bisperas sa Cathedral ang Black Nazarene unya sa pagka sayong buntag, mga alas-4, i-procession pauli dinhi sa Nazareno. Wala na to," Monsignor Perseus Cabunoc said.
But Cabunoc added they are eyeing a motorcade or a caravan as a substitute for the procession.
He said they sent a request to the City Government to allow the motorcade to be conducted at 10 p.m. of January 8.
"Diha sa curfew hours i-motorcade or i-caravan ang Black Nazarene libot sa city," Cabunoc said.
City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Department (CDRRMD) officer-in-charge Nick Jabagat said they will only allow limited people to join the convoy in the motorcade.
Mayor Oscar Moreno, for his part, said that while he wanted people to have the chance to follow their faith and participate in religious activities, their health is still important.
"In fact, we would like that (religious activities) to happen kay dako biya matabang ang pag ampo. However, dili lang pud nato i-expose ang katawhan sa unnecessary risks," Moreno said.
During the Fiesta of the Black Nazarene, the church distributes food packs to the indigents and Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel, but Cabunoc announced that this year, the Jesus Nazareno Parish will not be able to give food packs to the PNP.
"Tungod kay Covid man karon, minus gyud kaayo ang atong panudlanan, i-pranka lang nato. Karon maghangyo mi nga kaning mga food packs, mobalibad mi nga dili nami maka afford sa pag suportar sa atong mga PNP," Cabunoc said.
"Makasabot tingali mo ana tungod kay gamay ra gyud kaayo. Bisan pa atong Pasko tungod kay apektado kaayo ang mga tao, bisan daghan silang magsimba, gamay ra gyud ang atong naa sa panudlanan," he added.