BACOLOD City Mayor Evelio Leonardia has asked the National Inter-Agency Task Force (NIATF) to allow a maximum of 50 percent attendance in masses or prayer services in the city.
In his letter dated May 18 addressed to the chairperson of NIATF Department of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, Leonardia said they are requesting for consideration of the guideline approved by the NIATF last May 15, 2020 limiting the size for religious gatherings to only a maximum of 10 persons for areas under general community quarantine (GCQ).
He said Bacolod City is under GCQ until May 31 based on NIATF Resolution No. 37 adopted last May 15.
"Despite our GCQ status, however, church leaders in our city are begging to be allowed to hold masses or worship/prayer services with an attendance to be strictly set at a pre-determined maximum of 50 percent of the venue or seating capacity at any one time, including the celebrant or pastor and their assistants," he added.
The mayor noted that the church leaders are willing to abide with all the other health protocols during the gatherings such as mandatory wearing of face masks, marked seats in the pews for attendees to comply with the social distancing rule, and disinfection of the venue and seats after each mass or worship/prayer service before the next one shall ensue.
"They are all aware of the health risk in such large gatherings but the need for spiritual nourishment and a connection to the Almighty, at a time like this, is also deep and overwhelming. In fact, we believe, allowing the faithful access to their religious rites, services, and sacraments, but with careful precautions, can only strengthen our mental and spiritual health that we also need to fight off coronavirus disease (Covid-19)," Leonardia said.
He said Filipinos are people of faith, and it is that faith that will help us survive Covid-19 because, after all, whatever human means we take to defeat this deadly infection will all be futile without the grace of the Almighty.
