Guevarra: Religious sector, LGU execs to discuss on religious gatherings amid GCQ

MANILA, Philippines — Members of the religious sector are set to have a dialogue with officials of local government units  (LGUs) on Monday, June 1, to decide whether or not religious gatherings will be allowed in areas under a general community quarantine (GCQ).

This was revealed by Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Saturday, adding that after the dialogue, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) will make its final decision on Monday also.

Starting June 1, Metro Manila, Pangasinan, Region II, Region III, Region IV-A (Calabarzon) Region VII, Zamboanga City, Davao City, Cebu City, and Mandaue City will be under GCQ.

“As to those in GCQ areas like the [National Capital Region], the IATF will host a dialogue between the religious sector and representatives of the LGUs on Monday morning, then the IATF will make a final resolution on the same day,” Guevarra told reporters in a Viber message.

The religious groups have presented numerous health protocols and other stringent measures that they intend to implement once greater attendance in public worship or religious service is allowed in GCQ areas (at present, only a maximum of 10 persons is allowed),” the DOJ secretary said.

However, according to Guevarra, some LGU officials have expressed concern that increasing the number of participants in religious services may lead to an “upsurge” in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases.

“Hence, the need for a dialogue between the religious sector and the LGU group on Monday morning,” he said.

As for areas placed under a modified general community quarantine, religious gatherings will be allowed up to 50 percent capacity of the church or venue, Guevarra added.

Under IATF guidelines, mass gatherings such as but not limited to, movie screenings, concerts, sporting events, and other entertainment activities, community assemblies, religious gatherings, and non-essential work gatherings will be prohibited in areas under GCQ.

As for MGCQ areas, public gatherings are allowed provided that participants will be limited to 50 percent of the venue or seating capacity.

As of Friday, the Philippines’ COVID-19 cases shot up at 16,634 cases, of which 942 have died while 3,720 have recovered.

/MUF