CAGAYAN de Oro City Mayor Oscar Moreno said Monday, January 4, he is still reluctant on allowing the annual Black Nazarene "Traslacion" on January 9, stressing it is still not safe for devotees to attend the procession due to the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.
"It's not a question kung uyon o dili, pero unsay angay buhaton para dili makatakod si Covid," Moreno said.
The mayor said while he was not prohibiting the religious observance, people will have to find another way to celebrate the Feast of the Black Nazarene.
"Mangita tag paagi nga ato gyapon ma-obserbahan ang atong religious beliefs although again importante gyud kaayo nga dili mabutang sa alanganin ang katawhan," Moreno said.
"I'm not saying nga ayaw. Pangitaan nato og paagi pero ang importante, dili ipatakod si Covid," he added.
Acting City Health Officer Dr. Lorraine Nery, for her part, said proceeding with the annual procession is still not advisable as the activity will draw large number of people and the possibility of getting infected with Covid-19 is high.
"Sa karong panahona, dili pa gyud angay ang kana nga mga klase nga activity. We can do alternate activities para ma-exercise nato ang expression of our faith pero not the usual or sa katong naandan nato nga pamaagi anang pag procession," Nery said.