Mayors eye shorter curfew for dawn masses

MANILA, Philippines — Metro Manila mayors have agreed to adjust curfew hours to midnight to 3 a.m. to allow the Catholic faithful to attend Simbang Gabi or pre-dawn masses ahead of Christmas.

The mayors reached the decision during a virtual meeting last Sunday, subject to approval of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, according to Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) general manager Jojo Garcia.

The mayors reiterated the ban on Christmas caroling and parties this December if the national government would approve their proposal to extend the general community quarantine until the end of the year.

But the mayors have not agreed on whether or not to allow minors to join adults in going to the pre-dawn mass, with experts warning that children could become super spreaders of the virus, Navotas Mayor Toby Tiangco said.

While the Navotas city government will have its ordinance on a 24-hour curfew amended to allow Simbang Gabi, the council will deliberate on allowing minors to join the mass due to fears of them being major transmitters of the virus to the elderly, Tiangco added.

Mayors are also not unanimous on whether or not to allow those below 15 years old to dine outside as long as they are accompanied by their parents this Christmas season.

It will be up to the local government units to decide if minors will be allowed to enjoy the Christmas holidays outside with parental guidance, Garcia said.