San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora announced on Thursday, June 18, that a “Basaan Zone” will once again be implemented during the Wattah Wattah Festival on June 24 to ensure a safe and organized celebration.

Just like last year, Zamora said the city’s “Basaan Zone” will remain along Pinaglabanan Street, between N. Domingo and P. Guevarra Streets, where the traditional water‑dousing festivities will take place in a safe and organized manner. The designated zone will be open on June 24, from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“So ‘yun pong habang ito pati po ang ating Pinaglabanan Shrine Complex at city hall grounds ay bahagi po ng ating Basaan Zone (Also included in the Basaan Zone are the Pinaglabanan Shrine Complex and the city hall grounds, which are part of the designated area for the traditional water-dousing festivities),” he said.

Zamora reminded the public that water-dousing activities are prohibited outside the designated Basaan Zone under City Ordinance No. 14, which was passed last year.

He said the measure was implemented to ensure public safety and prevent inconvenience to residents who do not wish to participate in the festivities, such as students and workers commuting to school and their workplaces.

Zamora noted that, with the ordinance in effect, no incidents of water-dousing were recorded outside the designated Basaan Zone during last year’s celebration.

“Ako po ay nandito upang manawagan sa pamilyang San Juaneño na patuloy nating suportahan ang isang maayos, payapa na selebrasyon ng ating kapistahan. Tahimik… walang kaguluhan. Walang nag-aaway dahil binasa yung mga taong ayaw mabasa (I am calling on the San Juaneño families to continue supporting an orderly and peaceful celebration of our feast. With no disturbances and no conflicts arising from people being splashed with water against their will),” he appealed.

Those who violate the ordinance by engaging in water‑dousing outside the designated zone will face a fine of ₱5,000. Police units will also be deployed within and around the Basaan Zone.

The following activities are prohibited during the celebration: using dirty water and harmful water‑throwing materials such as water bombs, plastic bags, plastic or glass bottles, ice, and similar objects; forcibly opening vehicles; threatening or harming individuals; climbing on or shaking vehicles; boarding vehicles to throw water; entry of unauthorized fire trucks; and the use of high‑pressure water sprayers, except for registered fire trucks participating in the water‑dousing.

The mayor explained that the water-dousing tradition during the feast is a re-enactment of the baptism of Jesus Christ by St. John the Baptist.

Meanwhile, motorists were advised that Pinaglabanan Street will be closed starting June 23 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. to give way for preparations and the parade, while road closures will also be implemented in all adjacent streets within the Basaan Zone on June 24.

A liquor ban will also be enforced, prohibiting individuals from buying and consuming alcoholic beverages from 12:01 a.m. to 2 p.m. on June 24, as well as banning establishments from selling or serving alcohol during the same period.

The ordinance also sets the following penalties for violators: adults will face a ₱5,000 fine and 10 days of imprisonment; offenders aged 17 and below will be turned over to the City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD), with their parents fined ₱5,000; and violations of the liquor ban will result in a ₱5,000 fine for both the buyer and the seller.