Toledo City shortens curfew hours for Misa de Gallo

CEBU, Philippines —  The Toledo City government has shortened the city-wide curfew hours to allow people to attend the Misa de Gallo.

Mayor Marjorie Perales issued an Executive Order No. 78 adjusting the curfew hours from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. during the celebration of Misa de Gallo.

John Roseller Layan, public information officer of Toledo City, said the mass will start at 5 a.m.

To avoid potential buildup of crowds during the nine-day Misa de Gallo, the city government has proposed the holding of simultaneous masses in the parish and covered courts in big barangays.

Layan said they will utilize the covered courts in some big barangays to avoid crowds in the parish during the Misa de Gallo.

“Ang gihimo namo diri sa mga simbahan is simultaneous nga misa para dili gyud magdasok didto sa main parish. Gipang-utilize namo ang covered courts para simultaneous ang misa unlike before nga naa gyud tanan sa parish,” he said.

The local inter-agency task force has approved to limit the venues to 50 percent capacity.

However, Layan is optimistic that the number of churchgoers will not reach the capacity limit due to the simultaneous masses.

“Among gi-expect nga mogamay-gamay pa gyud sa 50 percent kay naa naman mi mga simultaneous nga misa sa covered courts labi na katong mga dagkung barangay,” he said.

Layan also said they still have to convene whether or not they will allow fireworks display during the Christmas celebration. — GMR (FREEMAN)