Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso on Monday asked Catholics to avoid holding religious processions in the city while the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is still a threat.

A devotee himself, Domagoso said he is "saddened" that the Filipino tradition will be set aside because of the pandemic, however, "we need understanding."

"For the meantime, nakikisuyo po ako, wala pong mga para-parada, wala pong prusi-prusisyon, dahil mahirap pigilan ang tao. At ang tao naman mapapahamak, malalagay sa alanganin (For the meantime, I'm asking you not to hold processions because it's hard to control the people. And they might be at risk)," he said in an interview with reporters.

Domagoso hinted there might be no Traslacion or the traditional procession of the Black Nazarene in January if "this situation will remain the same."

"Pero halimbawa... maganda, medyo kayang i-tolerate yung numbers of infection or talagang halos kontrolado na natin yung infection, baka mag-isip kami ng bago (In case the situation improves or the number of infection is already under control, we might change our minds)," he added.

Domagoso said, there is a need to issue restrictions on religious processions as he fears a  rise in COVID-19 cases in the country.

"Everybody is going to Quiapo... para magsampalataya (for their faith). So in the hundreds thousands of people merging, I just give you conservative number, just one na maimpeksyon, na magdikit dikit, pawis, laway, so baka maulit tayo (only one infected devotee who will join the gathering, with all the sweat, saliva droplets and we might end up with huge cases again)," he cautioned.