Fr. Douglas Badong, the parochial vicar of Quiapo Church, asked the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases to reconsider its policy that limits parishioners’ number to a church to only ten people amid the coronavirus lockdown.

Fr. Douglas Badong said the government should look at the sanctuaries’ size in reconsidering its policy of allowing only ten people inside churches during the general community quarantine.

He noted the Department of Trade and Industry is already allowing gyms and personal care centers to resume limited operations on Sept. 1. Review, testing, and tutorial centers will also be allowed to resume operations in Metro Manila and other general community quarantine (GCQ) areas up to 30 percent.

“Sana makita ng IATF ang kahalagahan na makapasok ang tao sa simbahan kasi puwede naman ‘yung simbahan mag accommodate ng tao following iyong mga protocols. Ako personal nalulungkot bakit 10 lang e ang laki-laki at luwag-luwag ng simbahan ng Quiapo tapos sampu lang ang papapasukin. Kasi nagbukas ang restaurant, ang mall, ‘yung mga gym, kapihan. Eh ‘yun ang may pagkakataon na magkwentuhan sila. Kapag pumasok ka ng simbahan, hindi ka naman makikipagkwentuhan,” the parish priest explained.

He added all parishioners observe all pandemic protocols before entering the church.