SBMA Chairman and Administrator Rolen C. Paulino said the celebration of All Hallow’s Eve has long been a tradition inside the freeport dating back to when the area was still a United States naval base.
Paulino said the activity will be allowed as long as trick-or-treaters strictly comply with the minimum health and safety protocols.
These include wearing facemasks, avoiding overcrowding, immediately washing hands after the activity, and the use of alcohol spray after contact.
Public Relations Office manager Armie Llamas assured that the agency is all set to provide security in areas to control the flow of people going to the residential areas during the celebration of Halloween.
“This is a fun activity that has been long overdue since the start of the pandemic. We want people to know that the agency is, and will always be, looking out for the welfare of residents and visitors inside the Freeport,” she said.
The word “Halloween” is a contraction of All Hallows’ Eve, which is observed on October 31, the evening before All Saints’ (or All Hallows’) Day. The celebration marks the day before the Western Christian feast of All Saints and initiates the season of Allhallowtide, which lasts three days to be concluded on All Souls’ Day.
Trick or treating is a traditional Halloween custom for children and adults in some countries.
On the eve before All Saints’ Day, children, and adults alike, in spooky costumes to scare homeowners when they go house-to-house, ask the homeowner, “Trick or treat?” to ask for treats.
The “treat” is usually some form of candy, although in some cultures money is given instead. The “trick” refers to a threat, usually idle, to perform mischief on the homeowner or their property if no treat is given.
Some homeowners signal that they are willing to hand out treats by putting up Halloween decorations outside their doors; others simply leave treats available on their porches for the children to take freely. Houses may also leave their porch light on as a universal indicator that they have candies.