CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Rising fuel prices are prompting some residents in Cagayan de Oro and Misamis Oriental to scale back Holy Week travel, opting instead to stay home as both a cost-saving measure and a form of sacrifice.
In interviews, residents said economic pressures are shaping how they observe the religious season.
Ruth Bagay, 25, a mother of two from Tagoloan, said their family will remain in their barangay and attend nearby church services.
“We will just stay at home because it’s already expensive to travel for pilgrimage. We’ll just go to church nearby,” she said.
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Benjamin Ruiz, a freelance dance instructor from Barangay Macasandig, echoed the sentiment, saying they will spend the week quietly at home.
BRuiz chooses to stay home during the holiday, saying, “Fuel is very expensive now, so we will just stay put. This is also our sacrifice."
Others, however, will continue working.
Marissa Quijano, 45, a market vendor in Puerto, said fish sales typically rise during Holy Week as many observe fasting and abstinence.
Quijano plans to continue selling, noting, “We will continue selling, especially since fish is in demand".
Cheleste Simene-Jomaya, a broadcast journalist, said she plans to balance faith and family by visiting churches across Misamis Oriental while taking time to rest.
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Meanwhile, the city government has activated its Incident Management Team to ensure public safety during the observance.
Mayor Rolando “Klarex” Uy signed a memorandum on March 30 placing the team on duty from March 31, 8 a.m., until April 5, 11 p.m., focusing on areas expected to draw large crowds of devotees and tourists.
