Only 10 percent capacity allowed for religious events

By Dolly Yasa

 

BACOLOD City – Mayor Evelio Leonardia issued Executive Order No. 63-A that clarified the number of participants in religious gatherings.

The EO amended section 16 of EO No. 63 dated Sept 29, 2020 clarifying the application and implementation of the rule on religious gatherings while Bacolod City is under General Community Quarantine (GCQ) from Oct 1 to 31.

Leonardia said this is in accordance with the pronouncement of the National Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (NIATF-MEID).

Among the provisions of EO NO. 63 was the second paragraph of Section 16 which limited attendance to religious events to a maximum of 10 persons only, based on Section 4 (12) of the Omnibus Guidelines on the Implementation of Community Quarantine in the Philippines.

The mayor said that in order to resolve the conflicting provisions in IATF issuances, he submitted an urgent inquiry dated Oct 2 to the NIATF-MEID addressed to its chairman Secretary Francisco Duque lll.

He said the NIATF responded on Oct 5 stating that the controlling provision on mass gatherings or religious gatherings is provided under NIATF Resolution No. 51, dated July 2 which states that for religious gatherings, only 10 percent of the seating capacity or up to 10 persons, whichever is higher, is allowed, provided that this will be limited to the conduct of religious worship/or service.

The EO further stated that religious denominations should strictly observe public health standards, social distancing measures, obligatory wearing of face masks and the immediate availability of hand hygiene necessities.

The clarification was sought amid reports that crowd gathered during masses in some churches are up to fifty percent seating capacity.