HEALTH Secretary Francisco Duque III on Monday warned penitents or those having themselves nailed to a cross to ensure that the nails and other sharp objects to be used during their crucifixion are sterilized to avoid infection.
He said those allowing themselves to be crucified during Holy Week to atone for their sins could easily contract tetanus with the use of unsterilized or rusty nails.
In other developments:
• The Environment department on Monday urged the public to observe an eco-friendly Holy Week when hundreds of thousands of Filipinos go back to their hometowns for the long Lenten break.
Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu reminded the public not to turn the beaches into dumps. He said apart from reflection and meditation, Holy Week for most people also meant long vacations and a great time to frolic on the beach.
“Let us all be reminded of the basics: Reduce, reuse and recycle,” he said.
Cimatu is tasked to look into the rehabilitation of Boracay Island and other beach destinations in the country that have pollution problems.
• There will be no number coding for city and provincial buses tomorrow, Holy Wednesday, and on April 2, Monday, in anticipation of the increase in the number of passengers going to and from the provinces this Holy Week.
The Metro Manila Development Authority also announced that the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program will automatically be lifted on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, which are regular non-working holidays.
Duque reminded the people observing Holy Week to keep themselves hydrated.
“Remember to always carry a water bottle, ready-to-eat meals and umbrellas as you visit churches, ” Duque said.
He said it was important to keep hydrated to avoid heat strokes or severe exhaustion.
“When feeling exhausted or hazy, immediately drink a glass of cold water,” Duque said.
He said people with high blood pressure should stay home especially between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. when it was too hot.
People should also avoid taking small children or babies to crowded places.
When traveling during the Holy Week, people should bring medicines and other necessities as a precaution.