San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora made a surprise visit at the Pinaglabanan Memorial Shrine on Saturday to check if people exercising at the shrine’s grounds are observing minimum health protocols.
The local government recently opened the historic shrine for individual exercises such as walking, jogging, running and biking following the easing of quarantine measures in Metro Manila.
“All you have to do is follow mandatory safety measures and health protocols such as wearing a mask and face shield, and practicing physical distancing with the people around you,” Zamora said.
Group exercises, particularly activities with more than 10 people, are still prohibited.
The memorial shrine recently received a P50 million makeover to rehabilitate the walkways, facilities and landscaping at the shrine’s grounds.
“Umaasa ako na kung sakali pagdating ng pasko ay mas papayagan na ang kakaunting Christmas activities ay dito natin iyan isasagawa (I hope that come Christmas, we will be allowed to do a few Christmas activities here),” Zamora said.
Before the pandemic, the shrine served as venue for a Christmas bazaar. The local government also hold its annual lighting activity of the giant Christmas tree, life-sized manger and Christmas decor at the shrine’s grounds.
Aside from the memorial shrine, Zamora has also inspected the newly installed bike lanes along select streets in the city while riding his bicycle.
An athlete and a health and fitness enthusiast, Zamora urged city residents to stay fit and healthy amid the pandemic.
“Having a strong and healthy body need not really be expensive or time-consuming. We can do it even while doing something else, like biking to and from your work, brisk walking and jogging while doing errands,” he said.