Ang Pagtaltal sa Balaan Bukid, a reenactment of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ during the Holy Week in Jordan, Guimaras, will be cancelled for the second year in a row because of the continuing threat of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

“We will cancel again our Ang Pagtaltal sa Balaan Bukid this year,” said Jordan Mayor Ruben Corpuz.

Balaan Bukid, a 558-foot mountain in Barangay Hoksyn, is one of Guimaras’ tourist drawers. Thousands of local and foreign tourists visit Balaan Bukid every Holy Week.

“With finality, wala celebration sang Pagtaltal this year because it’s so hard to control 20,000 people. We don’t want our locals to be infected with the virus,” said Corpuz.

The mayor issued Executive Order No. 17, Series of 2020-02, which ordered the temporary closure of Balaan Bukid from March 31 to April 3, 2021 to prevent the further spread of the deadly disease.

“Ginsarado ta ang Balaan Bukid kay dira ang damo tawo. Sa mga pumuluyo dira lang ta sa balay mamalandung para safe kita always,” said Corpuz.

The local government will deploy cops to help barangay officials of Hoskyn and Balcon Melliza in the implementation of the order.

For Noella Tarrosa, a resident of Jordan, said she was in favor of the cancellation of the annual Holy Week presentation, stressing that public health and safety should be of utmost priority.

“Nangin part na ina sang kultura namun nga mga Guimarasnon especially kami nga taga Barangay kay dira gid na sa brgy namun located ang Balaan Bukid. Kwaresma without Pagtaltal? Daw kakulang gid kaso, I’m a mom of two and my parents are both immunocompromised so kun ipush through ang event grabe man nga exposure sa barangay namun, subong pa nga surging ang cases,” she told IMT News.

“Gusto man tani namun padayunon ang tradisyon but we can’t compromise. Better safe than sorry. I believe man nga with God’s intervention matapos ni tanan kag mabuhi namun liwat ang turismo as well as ang naandan nga tradisyon sang mga Guimarasnon,” Tarrosa continued.

Adora Gaboyoyo shared the same sentiment. “We can still observe lenten season even nga cancelled ang pagtaltal our alternative is watch movies regarding the life and passion of Christ.”IMT