THE San Juan city government has announced that preparations for the ‘Wattah Wattah 2025’ celebration on June 24 will include the deployment of 300 local police to ensure the public’s safety and security.
The celebration commemorates the baptism of Jesus Christ by John the Baptist, whose feast is celebrated on June 24.
“We have more than 300 police officers in San Juan, and we have already spoken with Eastern Police District director Brig. Gen. Aden Lagradante so we will have police officers from the Eastern Police District. So, expect that inside and outside the ‘basaan zone,’ you will see many police officers,” Mayor Francis Zamora said during a press conference.
Zamora said City Ordinance No.14 was passed to prevent chaotic incidents like those that occurred during last year’s festivities from happening again.
The ordinance also sets the following penalties for violators of the guidelines set: Adults – P5,000 fine and 10 days imprisonment; while for those who are 17-years old and below, they will be turned over to the City Social Welfare and Development department (CSWD) and a P5,000 fine imposed on their parents.
Zamora added that they have designated Pinaglabanan Road between N. Domingo and P. Guevarra Streets as a “basaan” zone where the traditional dousing of water, in celebration of the festival, can only be done on June 24.
The water dousing can only be done from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“All basaan activities can only be done inside the basaan zone. There will be no water dousing outside the basaan area. So let this be clear to everyone that if you are not inside the basaan zone, you are not allowed to douse water on others,” Zamora said.
The city government also issued a list of prohibited acts during the festivities, including dousing with dirty water, opening of vehicles to douse their occupants, hurting or scaring individuals, climbing over and shaking of vehicles, dousing of water outside the basaan zone, use of unauthorized fire trucks, and use of highly-pressurized water sprayer.
Aside from these, a liquor ban will be imposed from 12:01 a.m. to 2 p.m. on June 24.
Violators will be fined P5,000 for selling or buying liquor.
