Malacañang has expressed its support for the Day of Prayer set by the Archdiocese of Manila on May 8 for those who succumbed to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque made the statement after Manila apostolic administrator Bishop Broderick Pabillo said that priests of the Manila archdiocese will gather for a mass on May 8 to pray for those who died of COVID-19.
The mass will be held at 9 a.m. at the Manila Cathedral.
In his press briefing on Thursday, Roque said expressed Malacañang's support for the Day of Prayer and encouraged the public to join in prayer.
"Suportado po natin 'yan (We support that)... We support all prayer initiatives because we know that prayers can move mountains," he said.
"Ine-enganyo ko po ang lahat na ipagdasal po natin lahat ng ating mga kababayan na meron pong sakit ng COVID-19 (I invite everyone to pray for our fellowmen who got COVID-19)," he added.
Roque, who caught the said disease twice, thanked those who included him in their prayers.
"Bilang isang biktima ng COVID din po, nagpapasalamat ako doon sa mga nagdasal para sa ating paggaling (As a victim of COVID-19, I would like to thank those who prayed for my speedy recovery)," he said.
In his pastoral instruction on April 20, Pabillo suggested hanging up the pictures of those who succumbed to COVID-19 over the past year on a memorial wall to be set up in different parishes.
He likewise instructed parishes and religious communities in Manila to dedicate a Holy Hour in front of the Blessed Sacrament at 6 p.m. on May 5 for the frontliners, on May 6 for the sick, and May 7 for the dead.
To date, 16,265 people in the country died of COVID-19. On April 21, the Philippines reached a total of 962,307 COVID-19 cases, 829,608 of whom recovered while 116,434 are still sick.