Crowding noted in several churches in Cebu City on Day 1 of Misa de Gallo

CEBU, Philippines — Day one of the Misa de Gallo was generally peaceful in Cebu City, the seat of Christianity in Asia, but the number of people that went to church despite the ongoing pandemic caught authorities off guard.

In several churches, primarily because only 50 percent capacity is allowed under modified general community quarantine rules, churchgoers have spilled out to the streets where crowds gathered, violating physical distancing requirements, including the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño.

“Na surprise gyud ta, wala ta ga expect nga ing-ana kadaghan gyud gihapon ang gusto nga mosimba despite the pandemic,” said Lt. Col. Wilbert Parilla, deputy director for operations of the Cebu City Police Office.

(We were surprised. We did not expect that many people would still want to go out to go to church despite the pandemic.)

"Daghan ang mga gustong nanimba nga naa na sa gawas gatapok which is naka-violate na sa atong health protocols especially sa physical distancing… Daghan usab sa atong mga simbahan ang wala na gyud na-control ang mga manimba, specially ang mga naa sa gawas,” he said.

(Many who wanted to attend the Mass crowded outside the churches, which already violated health protocols, especially physical distancing… many churches have also failed to control churchgoers, especially those outside.)

In the case of the Basilica, Parilla said the church still did not admit churchgoers even at 4 a.m., two hours after people started arriving at 2 a.m.

“Naay mga churches nga hapsay ilang mga pamaagi pero naa usay mga simbahan nga nakasugat gyud sila ug mga problema sama nalang sa Santo Niño Parish. Mao ang usa sa among gibisita… 4 o’clock na, wala pa pasudla ang mga tawo, perting taasa na sa linya, nya ang mga tawo 2 o’clock pa,” Parilla said.

(There were churches that managed the situation well but there were also churches that encountered problems like the Santo Niño Parish, one of the churches we visited. They have not allowed anyone in at 4 a.m. and people started arriving at 2 a.m.)

The police said earlier it will observe maximum tolerance during the Misa de Gallo but Parilla said they might just have to start making arrests if churchgoers continue to violate health protocols in succeeding days.

Councilor Joel Garganera, deputy chief implementer of the city’s Emergency Operations Center echoed Parilla’s assessment.

“Sulod sa simbahan, wala gyuy problema, ang challenge gyud naa sa gawas. There were churches nga very efficient kaayo, compliant gyud kaayo,” Garganera said.

(There is no problem inside the church. The challenge was outside. There were churches that were very efficient and very compliant.)

Garganera said most of the problems were observed in churches in the south. And because the city has suspended the quarantine pass, even minors and senior citizens were seen attending the Mass.

Action

Barangay and police personnel were stationed at churches to ensure quarantine rules are still followed despite the suspension of the quarantine pass.

Garganera said that in the following days, checkpoints will also be put up at churches found to be over-crowded on the first day of the Misa de Gallo. More markings will also be established outside to make sure people observe physical distancing.

The anticipated influx of people, especially with the suspension of the quarantine pass, is one of the reasons why, Garganera said, it was decided that Masses will not be allowed at chapels, barangay gymnasiums, and covered courts. Had this been allowed, it would simply be difficult for authorities to monitor all of the city’s 80 barangays as Masses are celebrated simultaneously.

This decision, Garganera said, was arrived at by different agencies, including the Department of Interior and Local Government, Philippine National Police, Liga ng mga Barangays, Cebu City Health Department, city disaster team, and Office of the Civil Defense.

Mayor Edgardo Labella said the decision remains and, basing on assessment on the first day of the Misa de Gallo, several adjustments will have to be made.

“It's better to be safe. Anyway, makasabot man ang katawhan. Dili nato itugot ang misa gawas sa mga simbahan,” he said yesterday.

(It’s better to be safe. Anyway, the people will understand. We will not allow Masses outside the church.)

Labella said the city has asked the Archdiocese of Cebu to accommodate churchgoers at parking areas in churches with adequate parking spaces, provided physical distancing will be maintained.

“There are many churches which have enough parking spaces that can be utilized as additional space for the churchgoers, for the faithful,” Labella said.

The one entrance, one exit should also be followed.

He added that there will be road closures in areas where churches are located near the roads.

Appeal

With eight more days to go for the Misa de Gallo, Labella appealed churchgoers to follow health protocols.

“It's understandable because Cebuanos are really devout Catholics. But, I just would like to appeal to our Cebuano faithful – when we go to church, what is inculcated in us is the virtue of obedience. Pagsunod. Obedience. Because this virtue of obedience is very well inculcated in us because of our faith, I appeal to our faithful that the same kind of obedience atong gamiton sa ato sang pag-comply sa mga minimum health standards,” Labella said.

“Tinuod, we are so happy nga nakatambong ta sa Misa de Gallo. But, at the same time, let us not forget that the virus is still very much around. We are still on quarantine. That is why I appeal again that while we celebrate, we attend mass, let us not forget that we have also to think of the pandemic, to think of our own safety, and the safety of our loved ones and our neighbors,” he added.

Labella also appealed to churchgoers not to bring children below 15 years old, as well as senior citizens above 65 years old.

“Naa may online mass, pwede man ta'ng anha ra sa atong mga balay. Mao raman sad gihapon. Og naay labaw nga pinakamasinabtanon, kana wa'y lain, ang atong Labaw'ng Makagagahom, ang atong Ginoo,” Labella said.

(There are Masses streamed online. We can attend in the comforts of our homes. That will be the same Mass. If there is someone who can understand the situation better, it is God.)

Labella also reiterated his appeal for residents to not abuse the temporary suspension of the quarantine pass.

“Hinaut unta nga human sa misa, og wa lang gyu'y essential purpose of being outside of your home, uli lang mo sa inyong panimay,” Labella said.

(I hope that after the Mass, if you don’t have anything essential purpose to remain outside, please go straight home.) —Mary Ruth R. Malinao, Caecent No-ot Magsumbol, Decemay P. Padilla /JMO (FREEMAN)