CITY OF MALOLOS, Bulacan -- Due to the current COVID-19 situation, Governor Daniel R. Fernando issued Executive Order No. 42, series of 2020 to prohibit the traditional Christmas caroling and other similar activities in Bulacan from December 16, 2020, to January 3, 2021.
Fernando also temporarily banned Christmas or New Year parties and similar celebrations in any office of the Provincial Government of Bulacan and local government units in the province and encouraged private companies, entities, and workplaces to do the same.
Meanwhile, Simbang Gabi or the dawn masses and other similar religious activities are allowed provided that the activities will comply with the provisions of IATF Omnibus Guidelines on the Implementation of Community Quarantine in the Philippines with Amendments as of December 14, 2020, on public gatherings.
Also, Fernando permitted family reunions and similar celebrations if minimum public health standards will be observed and such events will not be held in public places, establishments, or venues.
The governor cleared that the regulations on Christmas traditions that Bulakenyos grew up doing are in no way made to dampen the spirit of Christmas but to further protect his provincemates on the hazards that may be brought by COVID-19.
“Batid ko po ang pagnanais nating lahat na maipagdiwang ang Pasko ng sama-sama lalo na ng ating pamilya, ngunit mas magiging masaya po tayo kung darating ang Kapaskuhan na tayo ay ligtas, malusog at kumpleto pa ring sasalubong sa Bagong Taon. Ang tanging magagawa po natin ngayon ay manalangin na sa papasok na taon, lubusan na nating magapi ang ating kalaban, ang COVID-19,” (I know that all of us would like to celebrate Christmas together with our family, but we'll be happier if we're all safe when the Christmas came, healthy and complete to welcome the new year. All we have to do now is to pray that this coming new year we will completely defeat the enemy, the COVID-19)," the governor said.
EO No. 42 is in addition to those contained on Executive Order No. 38, series of 2020 extending the Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) in the Province of Bulacan from December 1 to 31.