The city government is set to hold a virtual switch-on ceremony for the Christmas display at the century-old city hall on December 1, in keeping with the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) health protocols.

Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar said the virtual event seeks to prevent people from gathering and avoid health risks posed by Covid-19.

“We will have a meaningful and safe Christmas celebration this year, and we remind people always to practice the minimum safety protocols,” Salazar said Saturday.

Salazar reminded residents always to practice minimum safety protocols such as safe physical distancing and the wearing of face masks and face shields in public places.

Rene dela Cruz, City General Services Office (CGSO) chief, earlier said this year’s allocation for the Christmas decorations had been reduced to PHP2 million, from the PHP3 million budget last year.

“The Christmas decors for this year are simple ones unlike that of the previous years,” dela Cruz said, adding that: “We recycled some of the decorations last year with some modifications.”

Aside from the city hall building, the local government traditionally adorns the public plazas such as Pershing, Plaza Rizal, Plaza del Pilar with Christmas lanterns.

Meanwhile, Salazar called on the public to patronize the Christmas lanterns produced by the inmates or people deprived of liberty at the Zamboanga City Reformatory Center. (PNA)