Quiapo Church adopts policy on optional masking

MANILA, Philippines — The management of Quiapo Church has adopted the national government’s policy on the optional use of face masks in indoor settings.

Rev. Fr. Douglas Badong, the vicar of the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, advised the public to be “sensitive with the people in their surrounding.”

“Kung gusto mag-face mask, OK lang; kung ayaw mo naman, OK lang din. But please, be considerate kung sakaling meron kang katabi na ayaw nang walang face mask,” Badong told ABS-CBN News on Saturday.

Priests and other church personnel were also not mandated to wear face masks.

“Kapag nasa altar, nagtatanggal ako ng face mask dahil malayo naman sa tao. But during communion, nagsusuot ulit ako ng face mask,” Badong said.

On Saturday, most people in and outside the Quiapo Church were still wearing face masks despite being aware of the relaxed policy.

President Marcos has isued an executive order allowing the voluntary use of face masks in indoor and outdoor settings.

Unvaccinated people, senior citizens and immunocompromised individuals are encouraged to wear face masks.