San Juan suspends water-spraying parade 

Mayor Francis Zamora of San Juan City has issued an executive order in anticipation of the impending El Niño and water crisis. Executive Order No. 148, series of 2023, incorporates water conservation into the annual "Wattah Wattah Festival" which is celebrated during the Feast Day of St. John the Baptist. The traditional firetruck parade that involves the spraying and dousing of water along the streets of San Juan will be suspended to conserve water. However, all other forms of traditional celebration during the festival which do not involve the use of water shall push through.

The Wattah Wattah Festival is a popular and highly anticipated celebration in San Juan City where devotees honor St. John the Baptist through the use of water. The festival involves splashing water on people as a way of cleansing them of their sins. The executive order is a response to the need to conserve water in light of the looming water crisis caused by the El Niño phenomenon.

In place of the traditional firetruck parade, San Juan City will celebrate the Feast Day with "Basbasan sa Makabagong San Juan." The statue of St. John the Baptist will be displayed in procession on a float in different parts of the city. This new tradition aims to honor the patron saint while promoting water conservation.

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Mayor Zamora emphasizes the importance of water conservation and the need to raise awareness of the water crisis. He hopes that the city's residents and visitors will support the LGU's efforts to conserve water by participating in the new Basbasan sa Makabagong San Juan and implementing their own water conservation measures.