SAN Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora on Wednesday, made public the final preparations and amended guidelines for the 2025 Wattah Wattah Festival.
Zamora said that as based on City Ordinance No. 14, Series of 2025, there will again be designated “Basaan” Zones as well as time restrictions.
He said that water-drenching activities will be allowed only from 7:00 AM to 2:00 PM, and only within the designated Water-Drenching Zone or “Basaan Zone”.
This includes areas along Pinaglabanan Road, between N. Domingo and P. Guevarra Streets, and the vicinity of the Pinaglabanan Shrine. Water-drenching outside this zone is absolutely prohibited.
“Ito lang po ang lugar kung saan puwedeng magbasaan. Everything outside the Basaan Zone, bawal po ang basaan. So, magiging maliwanag sa lahat na kung wala kayo sa Basaan Zone, bawal mangbasa. Kung gusto ninyong makiisa sa ating kapistahan sa pamamagitan ng basaan, dito niyo lang puwedeng gawin ‘yan sa Basaan Zone,” he added.
Among the prohibited acts that will be enforced include: Use of dirty water, or water/ice placed in plastic (e.g., water bombs), bottles, or containers that may cause injury; Opening car doors or entering vehicles to splash water; Inflicting harm or issuing threats; Climbing, shaking, or rocking vehicles; Splashing water outside the Basaan Zone; Use of unauthorized vehicles or fire trucks for drenching without a permit from the city government; and the use of high-pressure water sprayers, except those operated by authorized fire trucks.
There will also be a liquor ban enforced from 12:01 AM to 2:00 PM on June 24.
During this period, the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages in public places—including groceries, supermarkets, restaurants, and sari-sari stores—will be strictly prohibited all over San Juan City.
Violators will be fined ₱5,000 and may be subject to imprisonment of up to 10 days.
Minors caught violating the ordinance will be turned over to the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO).
Parents or guardians of minors will be fined ₱5,000, and the minor will be referred to the Barangay Council for the Protection of Children (BCPC) or the CSWDO for appropriate intervention.
Business establishments found violating the liquor ban will likewise be fined ₱5,000.
To maintain peace and order, hundreds of police officers will be deployed throughout the city.
“Asahan po ninyo na sa loob at labas ng Basaan Zone ay marami po kayong pulis na makikita. Ako po ay makikipagpulong kay Chief PNP Gen. Nicolas Torre upang ikonsulta ang posibleng dagdag pang kapulisan mula sa Eastern Police District at NCRPO,” Zamora said.
He also assured the public that the city is determined to avoid a repeat of last year’s incidents.
“Sa totoo lang, gusto kong siguraduhin na pagkatapos nung nangyari nung nakaraang taon, gusto ko pong siguraduhin na itong kapistahan natin ngayon ay magiging tahimik, payapa at maayos. Asahan po ninyo na inyong makikita ang ating mga pulis sa ating lansangan, ganun din po ang ating Task Force Disiplina, Public Order and Safety Office, maging ang mga tanods po, sapagkat kung meron man pong mahuli ang ating mga kawani ng pamahalaang lungsod at barangay, puwede po silang i-turn over sa mga kapulisan at agad po silang kakasuhan. Ganyan po tayo kaseryoso sa ating selebrasyon ngayong taong ito sapagkat ayaw ko na pong mangyari muli yung nangyari noong nakaraang taon,” he added.
Zamora also reassured the public that people who do not want to participate in water activities will remain dry as long as they stay out of the Basaan Zone.
“Kung kayo naman po ay magpupunta ng San Juan upang makipagbasaan, welcome na welcome po kayo,” he said.
Banner Photo Courtesy: Philippine News Agency
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