Annual fluvial procession for St. Peter in Pampanga held safely

APALIT, Pampanga — This year’s libad, or fluvial procession for St. Peter the Apostle, concluded without any major accidents, marking the annual feast free of drowning, electrocution, or boat mishaps, local officials said.

Mayor Oscar “Jun” Tetangco Jr. said no untoward incidents were reported during the land procession through Barangays Sampaloc and San Vicente on Monday, following the fluvial procession along the Pampanga River on Sunday.

READ: Boy’s drowning mars feast of patron saints in Pampanga town

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More than 700 motorboats joined the libad, drawing an estimated 14,000 devotees who rode boats or gathered along riverbanks and bridges to wave leaves and throw food and water as the image of Apung Iru passed by.

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Tetangco credited the zero-accident celebration to stricter safety measures, including boat registration, passenger limits, inspection of electrical lines, a swimming ban, the deployment of rescue teams, and safety upgrades to the pagoda carrying the revered image.

Previous tragedies had marred this annual feast. In 2023, a 12-year-old boy drowned while swimming during the procession, while two men were electrocuted and four others injured in 2022 after their boat struck a high-voltage power line.

READ: 2 dead, 4 hurt in Pampanga fluvial parade mishap

The libad, a tradition dating back to 1844, was suspended for three years during the COVID-19 pandemic. The three-day celebration honors Apung Iru, an antique image of St. Peter the Apostle that devotees believe possesses miraculous powers./coa

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