CEBU City Mayor Edgardo Labella will allow the holding of the traditional nine-day Misa de Gallo or dawn masses but only in churches.
Labella noted that Misa de Gallo was often done even in open spaces in the city such as the Carbon Public Market before the Covid-19 pandemic.
Labella said while he would be willing to allow the dawn masses, the City would first have to study how to go about it as the usual Misa de Gallo schedules go against Cebu City’s curfew.
“We have to reconcile our curfew ordinance with the pronouncement of the IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force),” said Labella.
Labella issued the comment after Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in an interview on Friday, Nov. 27, 2020, that the holding of Misa de Gallo will be up to the local government units since the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) has yet to issue a policy on the matter.
Under the modified general community quarantine (MGCQ), Cebu City’s six-hour curfew begins at 11 p.m. and ends at 5 a.m.
Labella said he will also consult the Archdiocese of Cebu regarding the varying schedules of Misa de Gallo in the different churches.
Mass from home
In Talisay City, officials have yet to decide whether to allow the holding of Misa de Gallo in parishes.
Mayor Gerald Anthony “Samsam” Gullas Jr. told reporters he planned to meet with health, law enforcement and Church officials before making the decision.
However, if he had his way, Gullas said he hoped Talisaynons would just celebrate dawn masses in the comfort of their homes to prevent the spread of the Covid-19.
As of Nov. 25, Wednesday, Talisay City had six active coronavirus cases.
From the city’s 1,011 confirmed cases, 906 people have recovered from the disease while 99 deaths were recorded. / JJL, NBT, BBT / JKV