The government announced the it is allowing religious gatherings inside churches at 10 percent once a day from April 1 to 4, Holy Thursday until Easter Sunday.
“This is good news for those who want to hear Mass during the Holy Week,” said presidential spokesman Harry Roque in a recorded announcement on March 26.
The Christian world observes Holy Week starting March 28, Palm Sunday, until April 4, Easter Sunday.
“The [Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines] requested for it, and the [Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF)] listened,” said Roque.
He said those who will physically go to church to attend religious services should register ahead of time. Audio visual feed outside churches are prohibited to prevent the mass gathering of people.
Roque said the ruling covers all religions, not only the Catholic Church.
“It’s a welcome development for the faithful,” said Father Jerome Secillano, head of the Public Affairs Committee of the Catholic bishops’ conference.
“At least, [the people will] be given a chance to celebrate and commemorate the Easter Triduum, Easter Sunday being the highest point of our faith,” said the priest.
“The Inter Agency Task Force must have realized that faith is also vital to surviving this crisis,” he added.
Father Secillano said the Church will strictly implement health protocols to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease.
“Having been allowed now, the Church is expected to implement strict health protocols to ensure the safety of our people,” he said.
On Thursday, March 25, the Philippines recorded 8,773 new coronavirus cases, its highest single-day increase, as the country battles a surge in new infections.
The Health department said total confirmed cases have increased to 693,048, while deaths reached 13,095, after 56 additional fatalities were reported.
The (IATF) discussed on Thursday the request of Catholic Church officials to allow 10 percent attendance in churches during the Holy Week.
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, a member of the task force, said Church officials had earlier expressed understanding of the current public health crisis.
“In fact, some dioceses had voluntarily decided to close even before the issuance of the subject IATF resolution,” said Guevarra in a media interview.
The government this week started to implement a strict general community quarantine, including the prohibition of religious gatherings from March 22 to April 4 amid the rising number of COVID-19 cases.
In a pastoral statement on Tuesday (March 23), Bishop Broderick Pabillo, apostolic administrator of Manila, said the archdiocese will hold religious services at 10 percent capacity starting March 24.
Roque later warned that the government will order the closure of churches that will defy the IATF directive.
