Churchgoers thankful as Manila raises seating capacity to 30%

Churchgoers f rom di f - ferent religions expressed gratitude after the seating capacity inside churches, mosques and chapels in the city of Manila was raised to 30 percent from the previous 10 percent.

“Finally I can now attend the Mass properly inside the church instead of just standing outside with so many people,” churchgoer Leny de Guzman said in Filipino in an interview recently.

Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso signed Executive Order 41 allowing religious gathering up to 30 percent of the seat ing capac it y of the church, mosque or chapel.

“There is a need for the city to address the spiritual needs of its constituents, to promote not only the social and economic well- being but also their spiritual wellbeing,“Domagoso said.

In the same order, Domagoso also allows individuals from 18 to 65 years old to leave their homes.

With the announcement , senior cit izens in the city expressed grat itude.

“Thank you, Mayor, seniors can now attend the Mass,” said Violeta Samson in Filipino.

Manila residents who are frequent churchgoers said that despite the more relaxed guidelines, minimum public safety health protocols should not be disregarded.

They said people should already get used to the “new normal” of observing safe physical distancing, wearing face masks and face shields, and frequent hand washing.

Domagoso clarified that minimum health protocols should still be observed and that church officials and other religious leaders will help assure that these are followed.

He added that with the previous 10- percent seating capacity, he noticed adequate space inside the church.

However, outside the churches, many were left crowding with many people attending the Mass.

“Thank you Mayor Isko Moreno for your strong leadership. The citizens can now freely worship and pray to the Father God inside the church solemnly. Father God is with us in the worst times,” Mila Elopre said in her Facebook post.

In a radio inter v iew, Bi shop Broderick Pabillo, administrator of the Manila Archdiocese, welcomed the city government’s order to accommodate more churchgoers.

“We call on those who can attend Mass, they can now go inside churches,” Pabillo told DZMM.

Manila’s parishes will also increase the number of Masses each day to allow more people to attend church services.

Pabi l lo said pr iests wi l l also hold Masses in school gymnasiums to avoid crowding and maintain physical distancing during Undas ( All Saints’ and All Souls’ Day) and Simbang Gabi (novena Dawn Masses leading to Christmas day).

Pabi l lo earl ier made the appeal to a l low the faithful to at tend the Dawn Masses by shortening cur few hours.

“We areas king that they adjust the end of the cur few to 3:30 a.m. during those days of Simbang Gabi and no cur few on December 24 evening ,” Pabillo said over Radio Veritas.

Damagoso asked the Church to start preparing guidelines on the conduct of Simbang Gabi while adhering strictly to safety protocols.

Churches also hold anticipated Dawn Masses in the evening to accommodate the needs of the faithful on different work schedules.

Metropolitan Manila mayo rs agreed to shorten cur few hours to 12 a.m. to 4 a.m. from the current 10 p.m. to 5 a.m ., except in Navotas Cit y.

However, the mayors are open to shorten the curfew to until 3 a.m. to accommodate the Simbang Gabi.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority said it will settle the issue on the curfew by December 1.