It will be a simple observance of 148th Founding Anniversary of Puerto Princesa and 16th Balayong Festival this year, in compliance with the Department of Health’s (DOH) warning to avoid large gatherings as a practical protective measure to avoid possible exposure to the dreaded Corona Virus Disease (COVID) 2019.
City Information Officer Richard Ligad announced on Monday morning that unlike in the previous years, this year’s celebration will have no Grand Civic Parade.
Rather the parade will only involve the participation of few selected members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine National Police, cadets of Palawan Polytechnic College, and newly acquired equipment of the city government manned by its operators.
Earlier, City Mayor Lucilo R. Bayron issued Memorandum Circular No. 2020-09 informing that city government officials, employees, and workers are not required to join the parade.
The Memorandum said that although there is a decreasing trend of COVID 2019 in the Philippines, it does not mean people can be complacent.
“Thus, avoidance of public places and other settings where large gatherings may lead to close contact or possible exposure to the said virus is still being observed by the City Government as a practical protective measure,” the Memorandum stated.
Republic Act 7684 enacted in 1994 declared March 4 of every year a special non-working holiday in the City of Puerto Princesa. It was on March 4, 1872 when the Spanish colonial government founded this coastal settlement.