WITH the continuing threat of Covid-19 in Davao City, the Archdiocese of Davao has decided to forego for another year some religious activities this Holy Week.
The decision was relayed by the archdiocese to Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.
Duterte-Carpio said on Monday, March 23, that masses are still open to the public and will be livestreamed online.
However, there will be no Visita Iglesia (Church Visit) on Maundy Thursday, April 1. Visita Iglesia is a Holy Week practice of visiting and praying in at least seven churches.
She also said that in the Last Supper Mass on the same day, the traditional washing of the feet will not be conducted.
On Good Friday, April 2, there will be no Way of the Cross (Via Crusis) in the morning. Via Crucis refers to a series of images depicting Jesus Christ on the day of his crucifixion and accompanying prayers.
"No kissing of the cross. In the afternoon, isuroy ra ang imahe sa mga Santo inchero pero no crowds (The image of Christ will be processioned by the Santo inchero but there won’t be crowds)," Duterte-Carpio said.
She added that there will be no Easter vigil on Black Saturday, April 3, while on Easter Sunday, April 4, there will be no "Salubong" or the traditional encounter.
Salubong is a traditional Catholic event depicting the first encounter of the Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ after He resurrected.
"Nananghid ta sa Archdiocese nga maghatag og ing-ani nga announcement, and gihatag nila ilang pagtugot (We already asked permission from the Archdiocese and they allowed us to make the announcement)," Duterte-Carpio said.
In an issued Executive Order 12 series of 2021 on March 12, Duterte-Carpio said religious gatherings will only be allowed up to 50 percent of the seating capacity, provided that religious gathering shall be limited to the conduct of religious worship and/or service.
Vulnerable sector, including person below 15 years old, those who are 65 years old and above, those with immunodeficiency, comorbidity, or other health risks, and pregnant women, including any person who resides with the aforementioned, shall be required to remain in their residences at all times, and are urged to attend masses via livestream.
This is the second time that Holy Week activities will be deferred. In 2020, the city prohibited religious gatherings during Holy Week when the city was placed under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
Duterte-Carpio reiterated her call to stay home and only go out for essential purposes as the city is at a threat of a possible “second wave” of the Covid-19 transmission.
She reiterated the public to comply with the minimum health protocol such as wearing face masks and face shields, observing physical distancing, and frequent handwashing of soap and water.
This, after key cities in the country, particularly in Metro Manila and its neighboring provinces and Cebu, are currently experiencing a surge of cases linked to the recent detection of the new Covid-19 variants.
“Makita nato nga kita pirmi (We notice that) we are always in the tailend of surge,” she said.
“Most likely, because there is exchange of people, there is travel, duna napu’y possible na second wave mahitabo sa siyudad sa Davao (there is a possibility of a second wave here in Davao City),” she added.
Davao City Police Office Kirby John Kraft also confirmed that there will be no outdoor activities and procession this Holy Week.
Kraft said the Archdiocese already had a meeting with the Public Safety and Security Command Center for the deployment of security personnel within church vicinity to ensure the compliance of minimum health protocol.