Priests will revert to the imposition of ashes on the forehead of the faithful during the observance of Ash Wednesday on March 2.
But the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines Episcopal Commission on Liturgy said the sprinkling of ashes on the crown will remain an option.
"We have been reminded last year that this option is an opportunity to catechize our people on both the penitential and baptismal characters of the Lenten season," the CBCP-ECL recommendations for Ash Wednesday, Holy Week and Paschal Triduum observance read.
"In Baptism, we have been anointed on the crown of the head. The ashes to be smeared on the crown signify our repentance from sin, which has marred the grace of Baptism," it futher read.
CBCP-ECL said the formula for the imposition of ashes "Repent, and believe in the Gospel," or "Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return" is said only once "applying it to all in general."
Due to the large number of people who will come to church for the imposition of ashes, the CBCP-ECL said, enough ministers and ashes as well as the compliance to health protocols must be ensured.
Catholics observe the start of the Lenten season on Ash Wednesday.
Lent is also a time when Catholics are enjoined to do good works, fast and pray.
During Ash Wednesday, the faithful have their foreheads marked with ashes (from the burnt palm fronds) as a sign of penance.