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Low Naga River Level Forces Peñafrancia Fluvial Procession to Nighttime Slot
The annual Peñafrancia Fluvial Procession in Naga City, Philippines, has been rescheduled from its usual late-afternoon slot to Saturday night due to critically low water levels in the Naga River, ensuring the safe passage of the pagoda carrying religious images.
NAGA CITY, Camarines Sur — The Peñafrancia Fluvial Procession will be held Saturday night (Sept. 19) instead of its usual late-afternoon schedule as organizers wait for the Naga River to rise enough to safely carry the Pagoda bearing the images of Our Lady of Peñafrancia and El Divino Rostro. It will be the first time in the procession's history that it will be conducted after dark. Organizers are monitoring the situation and hope that sufficient rainfall will occur to raise the river's water level. The safety of the devotees and the integrity of the pagoda are paramount. The Peñafrancia Festival is one of the largest and most revered religious festivals in the Philippines, attracting millions of devotees annually. The fluvial procession is the culminating event, where the image of the Virgin of Peñafrancia is brought back to her shrine via the Naga River. Environmental groups have previously warned about the impact of climate change on water resources in the region, citing erratic rainfall and prolonged dry spells. The current low water level in the Naga River is a stark reminder of these environmental challenges. Source: Inquirer NewsInfo
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Inquirer NewsInfo