CEBU, Philippines — Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia is inclined to allow Misa de Gallo in churches in the towns and cities in the province.
For Garcia, it is time to return to “normal” following months of quarantine because of the coronavirus pandemic.
“We should go back to normal. We should now go back, especially in upholding our religious and traditional ways. I believe kanang Misa de Gallo, apil na sa atong kultura, apil na sa atong pagkatawo (I believe the Misa de Gallo is part of our culture, part of who we are),” Garcia told reporters Wednesday.
She said the provincial government will let the Archdiocese of Cebu decide on the particulars like the schedule of the Mass. She said the Constitution provides the separation of the state and the church.
"I think it's time that we should also recognize that separation that they (church) should be able to make their own decisions,” Garcia said.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said earlier that the national government will leave it up to local government units to decide whether or not to allow dawn Masses. Cebu City and Lapu-Lapu City, following consultations with church leaders, have decided to hold the Misa de Gallo subject to certain conditions to ensure minimum health protocols are followed.
In Cebu City, for one, Mayor Edgardo Labella wants the schedule of Masses to be uniform. He also decided that only churches will be allowed to celebrate the Mass and not chapels. The city would also need to arrive at ways to manage the people that will attend the Mass, considering that the church is only allowed 50 percent of its capacity under the modified general community quarantine (MGCQ).
While they were put in place to keep people safe from the virus, Garcia could not help but lament that the COVID-19 protocols have taken “humanity” away from the people.
“Mura na ta og wala magpuyo og usa ka society or community kay we are being forced to stay away from each other. We are being told to stay away from the ceremony and the rights that feed our inner soul,” she said.
(It seems like we no longer are one society or community because we are forced to stay away from each other. We are being told to stay away from the ceremony and the rights that feed our inner soul.) — JMO (FREEMAN)