WITH the strict implementation of the “No backpack policy”, some Catholic faithful in Davao City had to attend mass outside the church on February 3 after they were not allowed entry because their bags were bigger than a small purse.
Photos of churchgoers hearing Mass outside a cathedral last Sunday, February 3, in Davao City circulated online.
Netizens expressed confusion over the "No backpack policy" of the Archdiocese of Davao after some churchgoers were not allowed to enter the church even though they were bringing only handbags, not backpacks.
"Kasi may dala yung iba na bags and hindi din kasi alam ng iba na pati sling bags hindi pwede. So yung iba hindi in-expect na hindi sila makakapasok," Mary Rose Diez Saranillo, 22, a resident in Communal, Davao City said in an online interview with Sunstar Davao Monday, February 4.
(Some people didn’t know that even sling bags are not allowed. Others didn’t expect that they would not be allowed to enter the church.)
Saranillo added that the queue for inspection of belongings was long as it reached the streets, but she noted that it was not that crowded.
Nosi Balgado, who is a church worker, said in a Facebook post that the strict implementation of the policy has caused inconvenience to the people. He noted that there were a lot of empty chairs during Mass. The deaf community that they were serving was not able to attend the mass and conduct their regular activities.
Shelah Faye Juntilla, Mutya ng Dabaw 2018, said on her Facebook wall that despite the inconvenience, the faith of Dabawenyos has to be commended.
"Despite what happened, they still attended the mass just standing outside (great FAITH!) and holy communion was still served outside church premises," Juntilla said in her social media post.
She urged Dabawenyos to know about the policy and inform friends and family about it.
"Actually ang instruction ni Mayor Sara is backpacks, big bags, bulky plastic bags, and cartons. However, yung Circular kay Archbishop Valles ay small purse lang allowed kaya yung inimplement ng mga security sa mga simbahan," Task Force Davao colonel Nolasco Mempin said in a text message.
Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC) head Benito De Leon said in a text message that the ideal size of the bags one can bring will be only the size of a small purse that can hold cash, keys, cellphone, or other essential items.
"For me okay naman po siya. Kasi sa security naman po ng lahat yun. Ang mga taga Davao po talaga ay understanding naman po sa ganyan," Saranillo said.
The “No backpack policy" in places of worship was issued by the city following the twin bombing at the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral in Jolo, Sulu on January 27, 2019.
The Archdiocese of Davao issued an advisory on January 29, 2019 stating that churchgoers are not allowed to bring backpacks, knapsacks, and carton boxes to churches.
Some non-Catholic churches in the city have also implemented the "No backpack policy."