Security measures up for Hermosa Festival

The Zamboanga Hermosa Festival will kick-off with the Smoke Out Zamboanga, a grilled food fiesta, and the Grand Midnight Sale on September 30. (Photo: Zamboanga Hermosa Festival 2017/Facebook)

ZAMBOANGA CITY — Police and military authorities have readied security plan to ensure the peaceful and orderly celebration of the 2017 Zamboanga Hermosa Festival.

This, as the city government has lined up activities to mark this year’s festival, the highlight of which is the feast day of Our Lady of the Pillar on October 12, the most revered saint of this city.

Policemen and soldiers will be deployed in strategic areas to thwart any attempt by lawless elements to disrupt the celebration.

On Friday, Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar issued Executive Order No. 294-2017, which specifies measures that are prohibited to be used and bring in the venues of the different activities as part of the security measures.

Salazar’s EO prohibits the use of hooded jacket, baseball, backpacks and parking of all types of vehicles in all venues of the activities.

The Zamboanga Hermosa Festival will kick-off with the Smoke Out Zamboanga, a grilled food fiesta, and the Grand Midnight Sale on September 30.

It will be followed by the inter-barangay bandoreal competition and pink parade on the following day.

There will be also daily novena mass from October 3 to 11 at the Fort Pilar shrine.

The other activities will include Regatta, parade of lights, street dance competition and fiesta main program and the grand procession.

On the other hand, the City Council has passed a resolution seeking to “relax” the implementation of the National Helmet Law within the eight-kilometer radius of this city.

The resolution takes effect Friday, September 15, until October 31.

The aim of the City Council is to prevent possible atrocities by motorcycle-riding lawless elements.

The feast of Our Lady of the Pillar draws thousands of visitors, including foreigners, into this city every October.