Labella awaits IATF rules on Misa de Gallo

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella will wait for the decision of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) with regard to the upcoming Misa de Gallo.

Labella said he has already communicated with the IATF in Manila and he expects a pronouncement on the issue soon.

“I will just wait because I do not want to preempt. I may have my own position on the matter, but of course, it will always be subject to the pronouncement of the Inter-Agency Task Force,” he added.

Labella said a member of IATF told him to wait for a few more days because they will come up with a pronouncement about the Misa de Gallo.

The mayor said the Misa de Gallo needs to be studied as there are things that need to be reconciled such as the curfew.

“Naa man ta’y curfew issued by the IATF. The city government has its own curfew ordinance so kinahanglan i-reconcile gyud ni,” he said.

Labella said there are many traditional practices that need to be postponed or to be not observed yet due to the pandemic.

“Tinuod, worried ta, but of course, first and foremost, we have to see to it that the life and health of our people are protected," said Labella.

With regard to the churches in the city, Labella said so far they were compliant to the health protocols.

At least 50 percent capacity is allowed in the churches now that the city is under the modified general community quarantine (MGCQ).

“I'm just thankful that the Archdiocese of Cebu has been very compliant. I assigned Councilor Phillip Zafra to monitor compliance and until now, maayo man kaayo ang compliance even in our big churches--Sto. Niño, Cathedral, Sto. Rosario. Maayo man kaayo ang compliance nato sa mga health protocols,” said Labella.

He assured the city government will continuously monitor the churches to ensure compliance on health protocols. — GMR (FREEMAN)