The Philippine Inter-Agency Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases has included the conduct of masses and worship services of churches in the list of prohibited public mass gathering following the declaration of public health emergency by President Rodrigo Duterte on March 10, 2020.

While we understand the ban which is part of the measures developed by the government to prevent the spread of coronavirus, we see the need to restore the conduct of masses and worship services of the churches nationwide as the government has moved to ease the community quarantines to allow the return of all activities under the new normal.

The petition to lift the ban on the conduct of masses and worship services of the churches hinges on the belief that spiritual services, just like medical services, are essential for the nourishment of the soul during this uncertain time.

We ask, therefore, President Rodrigo Duterte and the IATF-EID to include the lifting of the ban on the conduct of masses and worship services of the churches as most provinces are on General Community Quarantine (GCQ) and the subsequent new order as the Philippine society will return to normal condition under the new normal.