Catholic prelates have asked the faithful to remain vigilant as the country is still not free from our common enemy, the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
"COVID-19 is still there. And so we should not let our guard down. We have still to be vigilant," Balanga, Bataan Bishop Ruperto Santos said in his pastoral directive dated July 1.
"We are not yet victorious over COVID-19. Now is not the time to be complacent," Tagbilaran, Bohol Bishop Alberto Uy said in a Facebook post.
To note, both Bataan and Bohol are now under the modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) which allows churches to hold religious services at 50 percent capacity.
Bishops Santos and Uy reminded the faithful to continue to observe safety protocols such as physical social distancing and wearing of face masks.
"Let us continue to observe safety protocols so as to protect one another," said Uy.
"We have to still take the necessary precautions and observe preventive measures," Santos said.
Bishop Santos, meantime, said the placing of Bataan under MGCQ is a "welcome relief" especially to people in need of comfort.
"Opening now our Church with its 50 percent of total capacity is welcome relief, much needed comfort to our people who are very much thirsting and hungry for Jesus," Santos said.
"Let us bring people back to Church, together at the celebrations of the Holy Eucharist," he added.
Dioceses suspended public masses last March after the government imposed an enhanced community quarantine due to the pandemic.