Daanbantayan suspends public Masses

CEBU, Philippines — Starting today, there will be no physical novena Masses in churches in Daanbantayan town in northern Cebu.

This is part of the municipal government’s restrictions for the upcoming town fiesta.

Every 30th of August, the townspeople celebrate the fiesta through masses and prayer offerings. The patroness of the town is Sta. Rosa de Lima of Peru.

“Nasabutan sa IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force of Daanbantayan) nga suspendido alang sa publiko ang physical nga novena ug misa karong Agosto 26 hangtod sa adlaw sa kapistahan ni Sta. Rosa de Lima sa Agosto 30,” read the town’s announcement on Facebook Tuesday night.

The lighting of candles outside the church is allowed though, but only from August 29 to August 30.

“Adunay security and health plan nga ipatuman aron masiguro nga masunod and social distancing, pagsul-ob og face mask ug uban pang protocols,” the post added.

Although there will be no physical Masses, residents can watch Masses and Novenas live on Facebook.

On the other hand, the municipal and barangay officials agreed to re-establish the quarantine control points in every village.

“Buhaton kini aron makontrolar ang lihok sa mga taw ilabi na kon way hinungdan ug lag-laag ra ang tumong,” it said.

The officials conducted an emergency meeting on Tuesday on the COVID situation there.

It said the restrictions are necessary to address the increasing coronavirus cases in the town, which reported 121 active cases as of August 24.

“Basi sa datos sa DOH ang mga nag-unang hinungdan sa pagtakod sa virus mao ang pagduaw sa mga balay sa paryente ug amigo, pundok-pundok sama sa inom ug hikay,” it added.

Most local government units in Cebu, including Daanbantayan, remain under the general community quarantine with heightened restrictions until Tuesday, August 31. — KQD (FREEMAN)