Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III on religious gatherings

SENATE President Vicente Sotto III today pleaded with the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) to reconsider the prohibition on religious gatherings under the new granular lockdown with alert levels system that will be imposed in the National Capital Region starting Thursday.

Sotto said government COVID-10 pandemic regulators should allow religious worships of at least 10 percent of a church's capacity.

"Naiintindihan po natin na kailangan limitahan ang mass gatherings nang sa ganun ay mapigil o mapabagal ang pagkalat ng COVID-19 sa ating bansa, lalo na sa Metro Manila na siyang sentro ng pandemya. Kaisa po ako ng pamahalaan sa adhikaing mas epektibong ma-kontrol ang pagdami ng mga kaso ng COVID-19," Sotto said.

But while he supports movement restraints to slow down the transmission of the virus, the Senate chief said the government should also take into consideration the spiritual needs of the people.

Aside from their physical health, Sotto said the people also need to take care of their spiritual well-being.

"Religious services and activities help the people by providing a spiritual support system, helping in the reduction of psychological stress, and promoting good mental health during this time of pandemic. Mahalagang pangalagaan din po ito ng ating pamahalaan," Sotto said.

Besides, he said, churches have been faithfully complying with the government's strict health protocols and have never been remiss in reminding the faithful to follow the necessary protocols while attending evangelical Masses and other religious activities.