Bulacan shrine cancels procession to help save fuel

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MANILA, Philippines —  The Diocesan Shrine and Parish of San Isidro Labrador in Pulilan, Bulacan will cancel its traditional procession today to avoid creating traffic and help motorists save fuel.

The shrine usually holds two processions during Holy Week, on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.

But this year, church officials opted to hold only the Good Friday procession.

Monsignor Dario Cabral said that church administrators are aware of traditions being observed every Holy Week. But in consideration of surging petroleum prices and the declaration by the government of a state of national energy emergency, the church decided to do away with the Maundy Thursday procession.

Even if the church opts to take alternative routes, the procession will still affect drivers of public utility vehicles who will be stuck in traffic for hours and lose  needed income for their families.

Shrine officials said the church also needs to buy fuel for carriages that will be used for the procession.

They said that by holding only one procession, the money saved on fuel can be used for other important expenses.

The church urged Catholics to pray for peace, and for the end of conflict in the Middle East as well as the war between Russia and Ukraine.

Meanwhile, the provincial government of Bulacan on Monday released the initial batch of fuel subsidy for jeepney drivers.

The P500 in fuel assistance was intended to provide relief to transport workers affected by the rising prices of petroleum.

The provincial public affairs office said the subsidy was given to PUV drivers and operators in Baliwag, Malolos,  Plaridel, Pulilan and Santa Maria.