CEBU CITY—Authorities here expressed concern over the continued disregard of the physical distancing protocol during dawn masses.

          The second day of the nine-day dawn masses on Thursday drew another huge crowd. While only 50 percent of every church is allowed to be filled, it was observed that churchgoers are cramped outside the churches.

          “Admittedly, it’s a concern. But we, at the EOC (Emergency Operations Center), are doing our best to be on top of the situation. As you know, we can only do our best. Ultimately, it’s really up to the people to protect themselves and their families,” said Councilor Joel Garganera, chief of the city’s EOC.

          Police Col. Josefino Ligan, chief of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), said there was an “overflowing crowd” at the St. Therese Parish Church in Barangay Lahug.

          Hundreds of churchgoers also gathered outside the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu in Barangay Sto. Niño.

          Ligan admitted that the number of policemen deployed to secure the dawn masses in the city’s 35 churches were not enough.

          “We lack personnel because of the huge crowd. It is very hard to control the crowd,” said Ligan.

          Ligan said they need to come up with more measures to control the crowd such as installing barriers and closing off the roads leading to churches.

          Garganera said authorities “can only do so much” to ensure that minimum health standards will be followed during dawn masses.

          “We cannot apprehend them as we have to be sensitive to religious and cultural traditions,” said Garganera.

          City Mayor Edgardo Labella has suspended the mandatory use of quarantine passes during dawn masses.

       Garganera called on the public to be more disciplined, especially since a spike in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases was noted after the observance of religious activities such as the Holy Week and “Undas.”

          “This is not only true in Cebu City but nationwide and in other countries as well. The Wuhan surge was fueled by the Chinese New Year, and now in the United States, they are experiencing their worst surge yet with more than 2,000 deaths per day because of their Thanksgiving tradition. We need to learn from these lessons,” said Garganera.

          Garganera considered the suspension of the quarantine passes as a chance for the public to show discipline.

          “The mayor provided us with an opportunity to live the new normal by suspending the quarantine pass during the Misa de Gallo. This is an opportunity for us to take the challenge, self-regulate, and show discipline. But based on the last two days of Misa De Gallo, it’s very clear that we’re not that ready,” said Garganera.