EOC okays hike in church capacity from 10% to P30%

CEBU, Philippines —  The Emergency Operations Center in Cebu City has approved the request of local church leaders to increase the capacity limit in churches from 10% percent under the modified enhanced community quarantine to 30%.

“Our request for a 30% venue capacity in our parish churches has been approved by the Cebu City Emergency Operations Center. We still continue doing our share by observing the usual liturgical protocols,” said Father Jonathan Rubin, head of the Social Media Communications of the Cebu Archdiocese.

Acting Mayor Michael Rama, in a press conference yesterday, said he would not mind if the churches admit up to 30% of their capacity as long as they can still ensure the observance of the protocols.

Rama said the first concern should be whether churches can properly police their premises.

Another concern, he added, is to make sure that these protocols are consistently being implemented whether inside or outside the churches.

“Nag-istorya nami gahapon ni (Cebu) Archbishop (Jose) Palma, and from his mouth unsay sabutan sa LGU ila gyung tumanon. However, akoa sad siyang giingnan tan-awa sab unsa say kaya ninyo na basig among ibutang sa minimum pero kaya diay ninyo ang maximum. Kinahanglang dili lang sa inig sud, apil inig gawas…mag-monitor ug wala ba ni magkuptanay ug wa ba ni nag-akbayay, wa ba ni naggaksanay sud sa simbahan. Holy kaayo, (pero) paggawas kiat, so that is something I was telling the Archbishop to coordinate with barangay at the same time,” Rama said.

“So for me, I would not mind reaching up to 30 (percent)…but if…things are not being complied (with), then we will now issue an order. As far as I am concerned, as much as possible walay i-issue ang EOC,” he added.

The archdiocese, however, said it will follow all the guidelines of the government under the MECQ.

Cebu Archdiocesan Chancellor Msgr. Renato Beltran Jr. said that funeral Masses are limited to immediate family members only.

“The most important consideration, as our underlying principle in the observance of our liturgical health protocols, is our coordination and collaboration with our respective LGUs. Other directives may be given soon in the light of this new quarantine status,” he further said.

In a separate advisory, the Team of Pastors of the National Shrine of St. Joseph in Mandaue City, in a Facebook post, stated that due to MECQ restrictions, they are only allowed 30% attendance or 180 persons per Holy Mass, as permitted by the Mandaue City government.

They also asked the faithful to continue to follow the health and hygiene protocols, as well as the other important government regulations during this time. — Sly Anthonette E. Baseo, CNU Comm Intern, JMD (FREEMAN)