THERE will be no “basaan” or dousing of water in San Juan City during this year’s “Wattah Wattah” celebration because of water supply concerns spurned by the El Niño weather phenomenon, Mayor Francis Zamora said.
Zamora said that he has signed Executive Order (EO) 148 series 2023 mandating water conservation during the celebration of the Wattah Wattah Festival in observance of the feast day of St. John the Baptist on June 24.
The city executive said the traditional firetruck parade, which involves the spraying and dousing of water along the streets of San Juan, will be suspended as part of the city’s efforts to conserve water.
Residents are also prohibited from dousing water on people and motorists during the festival.
Aside from the water dousing activities, Zamora said all other festival events will push through.
“We will be celebrating our Feast Day with our Basbasan sa Makabagong San Juan wherein the statue of St. John the Baptist will be displayed in procession in a float in different parts of the city,” Zamora said.
