JOC Gears Up for Peñafrancia, Divino Rostro Festivities 2025

By Jonnah Abellano

The Joint Operation Center (JOC) Executive Committee formally convened on July 31, 2025, at the Tercentenary Hall of the Archbishop’s Residence to jumpstart preparations for the 2025 Peñafrancia and Divino Rostro festivities.

Civic and Church leaders jointly chaired the meeting, which reactivated inter-agency task groups and presented general activity schedules from the City Government and the Archdiocese of Caceres.

Among the civic leaders in attendance were Vice Mayor Gabriel H. Bordado Jr., City Councilor Melvin Ramon Buenafe, and City Legal Officer Atty. Angel Ojastro III, Transition Committee Member Ray-An Cydrick Rentoy. PLt. Col. Borromeo also attended as the representative of PCol Gilbert Fariñas. On the ecclesiastical side, Vicar General Fr. Wilfred Joseph Almoneda, Basilica Rector Fr. Eugene Lubigan, Vice Rector Fr. Jene Lois Sarmiento, Parish Priests Fr. Marcel Emmanuel Real (ICP) and Fr. Glenn Ruiz (Saint Jude Parish and Shrine), and Caceres Commission on Communication (CCCom) Director Fr. Francis Tordilla joined the meeting.

In an interview, Fr. Sarmiento cited the meeting’s significance as the groundwork for a more detailed coordination session on August 13. “This was our initial alignment. The city presented its list of activities, and we responded with the Archdiocese’s general schedule. Much of the finer details will be addressed in the next meeting,” he said.

The inter-agency task groups, covering traffic, security, health, utilities, and emergency response, will play a vital role in ensuring the safety and order, particularly during the Traslacion and Fluvial processions.

The City Government and the Archdiocese plan to sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on August 18, 2025, at the Basilica’s Archbishop Legazpi Hall. “This MOA solidifies our shared responsibilities and ensures clarity in our collaboration,” Fr. Sarmiento explained.

Organizers will implement several changes this year, including reducing JOC personnel from over 4,000 last year to a projected 3,500. “To compensate, we will strengthen the involvement of the voyadores and the Cofradia. Also, the Youth Sector will participate in the pagoda this year,” he added.

As preparations begin, Fr. Sarmiento shared a heartfelt reminder for devotees: “Our devotion to Ina must reflect how we treat our mothers, with respect and love. The number of devotees grows each year, but so does the chaos. The Archdiocese desires to bring everyone back to the true heart of devotion, which is reverence.”

Beyond planning and logistics, the preparations remind everyone of the true meaning of the celebration. Church and city leaders encourage devotees to show their faith during the festivities and how they live each day, with respect and discipline. Together, they hope to bring the focus back to what matters most: a sincere and prayerful devotion to Ina and Divino Rostro.