The Bicol Association of Catholic Schools (BACS) has issued a statement declaring its opposition to the scheduling of the traditional Military Parade during the days of the Peñafrancia novena.
The BACS' statement was a result of the meeting of BACS representatives last June 18 in Naga; the meeting was part of the Catholic schools' efforts "to discern ways and means to preserve and enhance the devotion to Ina."
In their statement, the signatory schools were unanimous in declaring "that a Military Parade has relevance neither to the celebration nor to the enhancement of the Devotion to Our Lady of Peñafrancia."
They added that because of the above, the Military Parade "should not be scheduled within the Novena to Our Lady of Peñafrancia."
The BACS schools further urged that "the Military Parade be scheduled outside of the Novena on such a civic holiday as Naga Charter Day or on Philippine Independence Day."
The schools also stated that should the Military Parade be scheduled during the Peñafrancia Fiesta week, they would boycott it.
Similarly, the said schools also disapproved of plans to maintain a beauty pageant during the week of the Novena. For several years already, a prestigious beauty pageant like the Military Parade had been held during the Fiesta week as part of the civic celebration of the said religious feast.
The BACS signatories were led by its president, Fr. Joel Tabora, S.J., who is also the president of the Ateneo de Naga University.
The Universidad de Santa Isabel (USI), Sta. Monica Academy in Baao, La Consolacion College of Daet, La Consolacion College of Iriga, St. Andrew Academy of Sagñay, Dominican School of Calabanga, Pili Parochial School, and St. Louise de Marillac of Pili were the other members of BACS who opposed the Military Parade during Fiesta.
The largest association of Catholic schools in the region, BACS is part of the wider network of the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines or CEAP.