The City Government of San Fernando on Monday said that all is set for the 70th year observance and commemoration of Maleldo or Holy Week from April 13, Palm Sunday to April 20, Easter Sunday.
During a press conference at Heroes Hall, members of the Maleldo 2025 Executive Committee, headed by Chairman Roberto Ma. Hizon, said preparations have been completed.
He added that interventions for security of the participants and public, who will join the annual commemoration are prepared.
On Good Friday, there will be a reenacment of the crucifixion and passion of Christ.
Hizon said the event, based on the original Via Crucis penned by amateur playwright Ricardo Navarro, will be in barangays San Juan (7 am to (9 am), Sta. Lucia (10 am to 12 noon and San Pedro (12 noon to 1 pm), and the "tira bakal" in Juliana (9 am), Sta. Teresita (10 am), and San Jose (11 am).
A management team, composed of the City Tourism Office, CDRRMO, City Health Office, Philippine National Police, City Public Order and Safety Coordinating Office (CPOSCO), local government offices and volunteer groups, will oversee the event.
"Starting Holy Monday until Easter Sunday, the incident management team will provide motorist assistance. Resources will be pre-positioned at City Hall, under the Dolores Flyover, and Barangay Sindalan. More than 500 personnel, including six ambulances and five doctors, will be deployed in the three crucifixion and Tira Bakal sites and other strategic areas for emergencies and assistance, or to respond to any untoward incident that may arise. We have asked barangay officials for a list of participants (flagellants and penitents) for them to undergo medical check up and be cleared to ensure their safety. And because of the heat, we are asking the public who will join to always keep hydrated, " the event committee stated.
Election candidates are warned that showboats, posters and tarpaulins, and distribution of flyers and campaign materials will not be allowed within the crucifixion areas.
The Maleldo 2025 organizers clarified that the observance of Maleldo is within the 45-day campaign period of the May 2025 elections and the "no campaigning" rule of the Commission on Elections during Holy Week.
The officials stressed that only drones accredited by the City Tourism Office and incident management team will be allowed to fly in the areas.
CPOSCO head Louie Clemente said that a traffic scheme is already in place, since the start of the Visita Iglesia and pilgrimages in the city, two weeks ago.
"Ang binabantayan natin ay iyung Metropolitan Cathedral and Dolores church which no or limited parking. Anyway, all the CPOSCO's 130 personnel will be deployed and will not be taking their day off during Maleldo week. We have also coordinated with Megaworld Capital Town management for the use of their parking lots on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday," he said.
Originally, City Tourism Officer Ching Pangilinan clarified that Maleldo was not meant as a tourism event, but the grassroots benefits from it.
"We also have to understand that the context of Maleldo in our city was not meant for tourists. It is an observance by our locals. I think this is the perspective we should be putting out there, that we are not doing this for tourism alone but its cultural significance which is more important than the economic significance. Going back and looking at its [Maleldo} history, there was a time when the Department of Tourism was promoting 'Fiesta Islands' kaya nagkaroon ng festivalization. Our Holy week traditions are not festivals, which we commemorate and not celebrate. But on the other end, we should also look into economic activities that are induced by such commemorations and observances, which are also important to the community," she said.
Mayor Vilma Caluag said the city government's priority is peace and order, particularly the safety of locals and tourists who will troop to San Fernando for the Holy Week.