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Fewer people seen at Metro Manila churches on Palm Sunday
Only a few people were seen at some Metro Manila churches on the morning of Palm Sunday, after the government and church officials encouraged church goers to just attend Mass online amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
At Quiapo Church in Manila, the first Mass was celebrated at 5 a.m. but only the priest and lay ministers were inside the church, according to a report by Carlo Mateo on Dobol B TV.
Cops belonging to the Manila Police District told the few church goers in the vicinity to leave the area.
Meanwhile, vendors selling palm leaves used for Palm Sunday were told by MPD to stay at the side of the church on Villalobos Street. They were not allowed to sell palm leaves in front of the church.
#BantayCOVID19: Mga nagtitinda ng palaspas sa gilid ng Quiapo Church, pinaalis ng mga tauhan ng Manila Police District. | via Carlo Mateo pic.twitter.com/8E4S8PBJ7e
— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) March 27, 2021
In Quezon City on the other hand, there was only one vendor seen selling palm leaves at the Sacred Heart Parish on Scout Ybardolaza Street.
The vendor said she had to sell palm leaves since some devotees were looking for them.
One motorcycle rider stopped by to buy one.
The suppliers of palm leaves coming from the provinces were not able to bring their stocks to Metro Manila and nearby areas due to the lockdown in the "NCR Plus" bubble.
Sacred Heart Parish was closed on Sunday and devotees were encouraged to attend Mass online instead.
#BantayCOVID19: Mga nagtitinda ng palaspas sa ilang simbahan sa Quezon City, kakaunti. | via @luisitosantos03 pic.twitter.com/7JxP5UdaGu
— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) March 27, 2021
Palm leaves are traditionally blessed by priests on Palm Sunday as church goers wave them. This commemorates the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem before His crucifixion.
Based on the initial order of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF), religious gatherings were prohibited until April 4.
This was, however, contested by the Archdiocese of Manila, who said that the church will allow devotees to enter up to 10% of its full capacity.
The IATF amended its directive and allowed one religious activity per day with a 10% capacity from April 1 to April 4. Meanwhile, gatherings are prohibited outside the Church.
However, under the enhanced community quarantine to take effect in Metro Manila and neighboring areas starting March 29 to April 4, all mass gatherings, including religious gatherings that were previously allowed to up to 10% capacity, are now prohibited. —KG, GMA News
