Mayor Isko “Moreno” Domagoso asked Monday the Catholics to avoid holding religious processions in Manila City amid the threats of COVID-19.
A devotee himself, the mayor said he is “saddened” that the Filipino tradition would be postponed due to the pandemic. However, “we need understanding.”
“For the meantime, nakikisuyo po ako, wala pong mga para-parada, wala pong prusi-prusisyon, dahil mahirap pigilan ang tao. At ang tao naman mapapahamak, malalagay sa alanganin,” he said in an interview with reporters.
(In the meantime, I’m asking you not to hold processions because it’s hard to control the people. And they might be at risk.)
Mayor Isko also hinted there might be no Traslacion or the Black Nazarene’s traditional procession in January if “this situation will remain the same.”
“Pero halimbawa… maganda, medyo kayang i-tolerate yung numbers of infection or talagang halos kontrolado na natin yung infection, baka mag-isip kami ng bago,” the mayor added.
(In case the situation improves or the number of infection is already under control, we might change our minds.)
Mayor Isko said restrictions on religious processions are needed as he fears a surge in COVID-19 cases.
Mayor Isko asks Catholics to avoid religious processions for now
“Everybody is going to Quiapo… para magsampalataya (for their faith). So in the hundreds thousands of people merging, I just give you conservative number, just one na maimpeksyon, na magdikit dikit, pawis, laway, so baka maulit tayo (only one infected devotee who will join the gathering, with all the sweat, saliva droplets and we might end up with huge cases again),” he cautioned.
Domagoso also shortened the curfew hours and increased the capacity of churches and mosques in Manila City.
Starting October 21 until November 30, Mayor Isko said that the curfew in Manila would start from 12 a.m. to 4 a.m., from the current 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
The mayo added it would be further shortened by an hour — 12 a.m. to 3 a.m. — after December 1.
However, Mayor Isko said the 8 p.m. curfew for minors would not be lifted.
The Manila mayor also signed Executive Order No. 41 on Monday, which allowed more churchgoers to worship in churches, mosques, and chapels at 30 percent capacity from the current 10 percent.