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MANILA, Philippines – The Manila Metropolitan Council supports the national government’s order to facilitate a curfew in the metropolis from 12 p.m. to 4 a.m., but the 17 mayors of the capital region say they are open to a further reduction in regulated hours at 3am to make way for “Simbang Gabi” in December.
Simbang Gabi is the traditional novena of Masses that begins on December 16 and ends on December 24, and is held in preparation for Christmas. Masses are celebrated at 4 am
Currently, the curfew in Metro Manila is from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
The metro council will meet to discuss rolling back the curfew, José Arturo García, general manager of the Manila Metropolitan Development Authority, said at a press conference on Monday.
Decision before December 1
“We hope to resolve the recommendation by December 1,” Garcia said. “Churches can [celebrate] Her first [Mass] at 3 am so they can serve more parishioners. “
There is only one Mass for Simbang Gabi. The Mass that follows at 5 am is regular and is not part of the novena. But parishes can celebrate more than one Mass for all parishioners.
During the council meeting Sunday, Garcia said mayors also recommended increasing the church’s capacity from 10 to 30 percent.
Those attending the mass observe a physical distancing within the church. But people who listen to mass from outside the church due to the lack of space inside almost fill the courtyard, risking contracting the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.
Garcia said mayors would leave the final decision on the duration of the curfew to the Interagency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, the temporary government body that oversees the government’s response to the coronavirus.
On Friday, Manila Bishop Broderick Pabillo called on the government to ease the curfew to allow the faithful to attend sunrise Masses and to lift the curfew on Christmas Eve.
Happy church
On Monday, the Archdiocese of Manila and the Philippine Conference of Catholic Bishops said they were happy that mayors recommended shortening the curfew to allow Simbang Gabi.
“I am happy with that. We can plan our Simbang Gabi schedules with adequate physical distancing,” said Pabillo.
Jerome Secillano, a spokesman for the bishops’ conference, said church officials will ensure that parishioners wear masks and face shields and observe physical distancing during Masses.
–With a report by Jodee A. Agoncillo
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