Metro Manila curfew shortened to allow ‘Simbang Gabi’
MANILA, Philippines — The mayors of Metro Manila have revised curfew hours to midnight to 3 a.m. starting Dec. 1, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque announced on Tuesday.
In a televised press briefing from Alcala, Cagayan province, Roque said the mayors decided to roll back the curfew to allow Roman Catholics to go to the “Simbang Gabi,” the beloved novena of Masses held at dawn beginning Dec. 16 in preparation for Christmas.
Local governments in Metro Manila, including the city of Manila, currently have curfew from midnight to 4 a.m.
An ordinance enacted in Manila in October rolled back the curfew to midnight to 3 a.m. starting Dec. 1 to make way for the Simbang Gabi.
30 percent capacity
In areas under general community quarantine, such as Metro Manila, religious gatherings are allowed up to 30 percent of church capacity.
Roque said local governments in other parts of the country, depending on their community quarantine category, may also adjust their curfew to allow the faithful to go to the Simbang Gabi.
“All local governments have been given the discretion as to what will be their curfew hours,” Roque said.
—Jerome Aning
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