The National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help or the Redemptorist Church in Baclaran, Parañaque City, on Wednesday (July 15) allowed only 200 people inside to hear Mass, in line with government guidelines permitting religious gatherings of up to 10 percent of the venue's seating capacity.

According to Barangay Chairman Jeff Zaide, the mass held at the National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help was considered the first Baclaran Day since religious gatherings have been allowed to resume.

 Zaide said barangay watchmen were deployed starting Tuesday night to ensure orderliness around the church.

He said devotees began queuing as early as 6:00 a.m. for the 8:00 a.m. Mass.

Those who were unable to go enter the church decided to hear Mass outside the compound. The barangay chairman said devotees have to undergo strict health protocols such as using a footbath, washing their hands, taking their body temperature, and filling up a health declaration form. The latter requires the following information: name, age, phone number, address, time and date of Mass, and seat number inside the church.

“Only two persons per pew will be allowed, unlike before the country is not facing the health pandemic, each pew has a capacity of about 12 to 15 individuals. About 2,000 individuals usually attended the Wednesday novena at the Redemptorist Church,” Zaide said.

He added that only two gates to Baclaran Church were opened – one at Redemptorist road and the other on Auxiliary Road along Roxas Boulevard, to control the number of novena-goers wishing to enter the church each Wednesday.

Zaide said cars and motorcycles are not allowed inside the compound, while those riding bicycles will be allowed to enter, providing that the bicycle will be disinfected.

The church has scheduled masses at 8:00 am., 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m., and 5:00 p.m.