The Taguig City government and the Minor Basilica and Archdiocesan Shrine Parish of St. Anne announced that the Pagoda sa Ilog, or fluvial procession, scheduled on July 26 will have a limited number of participants and shorter route due to elevated water levels.
The Pagoda sa Ilog is an annual celebration and is part of the Taguig River Festival to commemorate the harvest of “banak” or sea mullet from the Taguig river.
The Pagoda sa Ilog in Taguig in 2021 (Photo from Minor Basilica and Archdiocesan Shrine Parish of St. Anne's Facebook page)
The changes were implemented due to the onslaught of heavy rains and floods brought by the enhanced Habagat (southwest monsoon) and Typhoon Carina in the country.
“Due to the elevated water levels of the Taguig River caused by the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) and Typhoon Carina, the number of participants for the Pagoda sa Ilog 2024 on Friday, July 26, will be limited and the route shortened,” the Taguig City government and the parish said in a statement.
For the safety of participants, the new route for the Pagoda sa Ilog will be from Sta. Ana Docking Area to Wawa Pumping Station and vice versa, the statement added.
“Following the Pagoda sa Ilog, the Pagoda sa Daan will proceed from Sta. Ana Church and return to Sta. Ana Church,” it said.
Pagod sa Daan route: Start at Sta Ana Church> Liwayway St. > Plaza Quezon > General Luna St. > Tuktukan Brgy. Hall > Pass in front of Taguig City Hall > U-turn to Col. P. Cruz > Mabini St > M.L.Q. Ave. > Pass to Bambang Bridge > U-turn in front of San Sebastian Chapel > Liwayway St. > Sta. Ana Church (end).
In a notice posted on its Facebook account, the Minor Basilica and Archdiocesan Shrine Parish of St. Anne stated that the decision was based on the advice by the Philippine Coast Guard and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).
“Gayunpaman, dahil sa mataas na lebel ng tubig sa lawa dulot ng habagat at bagyong Carina, kung kaya't hindi na po makakatawid sa lawa at lilimitahan lamang po ang mga maaring sumali. Ito ay sang-ayon sa advisory na ibinigay ng Coast Guard at MMDA, na sinang-ayunan ng Simbahan at LGU, upang masiguro ang kaligtasan ng lahat. Ang ating pangunahing layunin ay matiyak ang kaligtasan at kapakanan ng bawat isa. (However, because of the high water level in the lake brought about by habagat and typhoon Carina, [the fluvial procession] cannot cross the lake and the number of participants will be limited. This is based on the advisory given by the Coast Guard and MMDA, and agreed to by the Church and LGU, to ensure everyone’s safety. Our primary goal is to ensure the safety and welfare of each other),” the church stated.
The announcement by the Minor Basilica and Archdiocesan Shrine Parish of St. Anne in Taguig (Photo from Minor Basilica and Archdiocesan Shrine Parish of St. Anne 's Facebook page)