Bataan IATF bans Mass, religious gatherings
BALANGA CITY, BATAAN — Following cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) of devotees who took part in a religious gathering last month, the Bataan Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) issued a resolution on Monday prohibiting Mass and religious gatherings in Bataan until further notice.
Governor Albert Garcia said the temporary ban aims to prevent the spread of the infection and overcrowding of hospitals.
“At least, in this way, we can alleviate the burden of responsibility placed on our health workers and frontliners,” Garcia said.
The governor urged his constituents to utilize other means of prayer or worship services that would not require physical or social gatherings in a single venue, saying faith can be practiced and expressed without the need to gather in one place.
“I ask all of you to take extra precautions, deeper understanding, solidarity and obedience because in this way, we can express our deep concern for others, and being responsible citizens,” the governor stated.
Aside from the provincial resolution issued by the Provincial Board, both the municipal governments of Pilar and Mariveles also issued executive orders of the same nature.
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Balanga said they will cooperate with the provincial government.
“Because of these, we are, once again, closing the doors of the Church and instead, will revert to live streaming of the celebration of the Holy Masses from the 4th of August to until 16th,” Diocese of Balanga Bishop Ruperto Santos said in a statement.
The stricter measure on Mass and other religious gatherings came after some attendees of a worship service held on 19 July in Balanga City tested positive for COVID-19.
As of 30 July, Bataan has 136 active COVID-19 cases out of confirmed 390 infections. A total of 242 have recovered while
12 died.