MALACAÑANG yesterday said public religious gatherings of up to 10 percent of the capacity of churches in areas under the relaxed general community quarantine (GCQ) classification, including those in Metro Manila, will be allowed for the whole month of September.
President Duterte on Monday night extended for 30 days the GCQ classification of the National Capital Region and the provinces of Bulacan and Batangas in Luzon, and the cities of Tacloban and Bacolod in the Visayas region. Iligan City in Mindanao is under the stricter modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ), while the rest of the country is under the more relaxed modified GCQ from September 1 to 30.
Harry Roque, spokesman of the President, said the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) approved the expansion of the allowed number of churchgoers in GCQ areas, which was previously limited to a maximum of only 10 persons.
The Metro Manila Council (MMC), composed of the 17 mayors of Metro Manila, cautiously agreed to the expansion, as they noted that in some countries, individuals contracted the coronavirus diseases (COVID-19) during religious gatherings or church services.
“Sa religious gatherings, matutuwa po ang mga obispo natin. Pinayagan na po ang 10 percent seating capacity (Our bishops will be happy now. We are now allowing up to 10 percent seating capacity),” Roque said.
Roque said the revised rule on religious gatherings was part of the new guidelines approved by the IATF, which recommended the extension of the community quarantine classifications to 30 days to provide stability and continuity in the implementation of government policies and health protocols.
Several NCR bishops quickly welcomed the decision of the government to allow churches to accommodate up to 10 percent of their capacity during religious gatherings.
In separate interviews, Manila Apostolic Administrator Bishop Broderick Pabillo, Caloocan Bishop Pablo David, and Cubao Bishop Honesto Ongtioco all lauded the decision.
“Today, we received the good news that we are again allowed to hold public religious gatherings, with 10 percent of sitting capacity as maximum occupancy permitted in our parish churches,” said David.
“Thank God we are already allowed. We are happy and we will comply with the requirements,” said Pabillo.
“It is a welcome blessing. Some parishioners have been asking about the number of people who can attend our masses,” said Ongtioco.
The Cubao prelate said the government’s decision could not come at a better time as the faithful are already clamoring for access to churches amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We see our services as essential since our people need some support system when we talk of stress, psychological needs, or support,” said Ongtioco.
OTHER GUIDELINES
Roque said the IATF had also approved the recommendation of Metro Manila mayors, except for Muntinlupa City and Navotas, to shorten curfew hours to 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. (from the previous 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.).
The Local executives have also committed to strictly implement the mandatory use of facemasks and face shield in public transportation, workplaces and commercial establishments.
Roque said the issuance of quarantine passes will depend on local government units if they will require it.
Roque said gyms, sports and fitness facilities; testing, tutorial and review centers; personal grooming establishments like dermatology clinics; pet grooming shops, drive-in cinemas, and internet cafes are now allowed to resume operations in GCQ areas.
Operational capacities of these establishments, which are supposed to be up to 50 percent in GCQ areas, are subject to the discretion of concerned LGUs. Guidelines on the health protocols, operational capacity and operating hours would also be issued by the LGUs.
Roque also said Cabinet “big brothers and sisters” will be visiting the LGUS in Metro Manila by Wednesday to check on the conditions on the ground and how the national government could assist them in the implementation of a stricter GCQ to control the spread of the virus.
MECQ IN ILIGAN, MONITORED AREAS
Roque, meanwhile, said MECQ was imposed in Iligan City not just because of the growing number of infections but because it also lacked a dedicated and equipped hospital to deal with COVID-19 patients.
National Task Force Against on COVID 19 Chief Implementer Carlito Galvez Jr., acknowledged that some of the first COVID-19 cases in Iligan, as well as the increased infections in Tacloban and Bacolod cities, were reported following the arrival of locally stranded individuals and repatriated overseas Filipinos.
Galvez also said that while the ECQ areas is limited to one city and the GQ is imposed on only five areas, the task force is closely monitoring the situation in the NCR, Calabarzon, and Central Luzon in Luzon; and the Western Iloilo City, Iloilo, Negros Occidental and Bacolod City in the Visayas.
He said apart from checking on the status of positive cases in these areas, the government is also continuously increasing bed capacities of hospitals to accommodate more COVID-19 patients. — With Gerard Naval