Bishop Broderick Pabillo, apostolic administrator of the Archdiocese of Manila, asked the government for clear guidelines on lockdown protocols when it comes to church activities.
Government spokesman Harry Roque earlier announced that church leaders have to coordinate with local government officials on the resumption of public religious activities.
Bishop Pabillo said the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases must clarify if local government leaders have the authority to decide on the issue.
He said task force must include in its “General Norms” that local government leaders can decide on the matter.
The bishop said local officials have been telling church leaders that it is the national government that prohibited religious activities.
Bishop Pabillo said it is sad that other industries have been allowed to operate while religious activities are deemed as non-essential.
On May 12, President Rodrigo Duterte lifted several restrictions in some parts of the country that were identified as “low-risk to COVID-19 transmission.”
The president, however, placed the national capital and two other provinces under “modified enhanced community quarantine” where only selected businesses are allowed to operate starting May 16.
