Roque: LGUs have final say on Misa de Gallo

CEBU, Philippines —  Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said the national government will leave it to the local government units (LGUs) to decide whether or not to allow dawn Masses next month.

"It will be up to the local government units,” he said.

Roque said Metro Manila mayors, for instance, adjusted curfew hours from 12 a.m. to 3 a.m. so constituents can attend and hear Masses.

“To accommodate (faithful), mga 12am to 3am ang magiging curfew sa Manila, and the local government units will decide sa iba't-ibang lugar," he said.

Roque is in Bantayan Island in northern Cebu as one of the guests of the Suroy-Suroy Sugbo Escapade.

It can be recalled that the Inter- Agency Task Force (IATF) has allowed only 10 percent capacity for religious gatherings in areas under general community quarantine (GCQ) in a bid to avoid the spread of COVID-19.

The Simbang Gabi, a nine-day series of pre-dawn masses from Dec. 16 to 24, heralds the Christmas season in the country.

Among Filipino Christmas traditions, the Simbang Gabi has for centuries sent the faithful throughout the country to churches to affirm their faith.

Simbang Gabi was introduced in the Philippines by the Spanish conquistadores in the 17th century. —  KQD (FREEMAN)