By Antonio Colina IV
DAVAO CITY – Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte told the religious leaders to hold online ceremonies for their followers, as the government prohibits mass gatherings to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19).
Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte
(FACEBOOK / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
In an interview during the Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) 87.5, Duterte discouraged churches here from holding masses to prevent COVID-19 infected members from infecting other worshippers.
“They should do online masses. Sa igsoon nato Muslim wala kaayo problema kay naa sila trumpano so everyone can hear (We don’t have much problem with our Muslim brothers and sisters because they have speakers so they can hear the prayers),” she said.
Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles held an online mass early Sunday, which was broadcast live via church-run DXGN 89.9 Spirit FM-Davao Facebook page.
Valles said, in a statement, all daily masses would also be livestreamed. The archbishop encouraged followers to continue praying at home.
According to the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC), there are a total of 12 persons under investigation for COVID-19 in Davao Region. Of the total, eight are confined at the SPMC and four at Davao Regional Medical Center in Tagum City.