DISCOURAGED. A Dapitanon touches the image of the Virgin Mary outside the Saint James the Greater Parish Church in Dapitan City. Devotees are told to refrain from kissing, touching or wiping their handkerchief on images. (PNA photo by Gualberto M. Laput)
DIPOLOG CITY, Zamboanga del Norte – Bishop Severo Caermare of the Diocese of Dipolog on Friday called for a balance between “calm and prayers” and being “cautious” as the entire diocese joined the fight against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) that has been declared a pandemic.
There is no confirmed Covid-19 infection in this province as of Friday (March 13), but the local governments have already implemented a number of restrictions to prevent the potential spread of the disease.
As a result, the business sector--in particular the tourism industry in nearby Dapitan City–is beginning to bear the brunt.
“Right now, Dapitan has no Covid-19 infection but we are implementing precautionary measures anyway,” Dapitan City Information Officer Randy Cabasag said Friday.
The National Historical Commission of the Philippines has also indefinitely closed to the public the Rizal National Shrine in Dapitan--the city's biggest tourist drawer.
In this city, the 15 teachers, learners and a supervisor who visited South Korea ended their 14-day self-quarantine March 12 with no symptoms of Covid-19.
Meanwhile, Dakak Park and Beach Resort in Dapitan City said the number of guests has declined sharply, specifically foreign arrivals, in recent weeks.
“We have to reduce work days per week and those in the management have salary cuts,” said Lawyer Chembeelyn Alpeche-Balucan, Dakak corporate legal counsel.
Meanwhile, Caermare in a Pastoral Letter released March 13 also laid down their measures which include the taking off of holy water in entrances of churches.
During mass, parishioners are advised to refrain from holding hands while singing The Lord’s Prayer, and to bow instead of shaking hands during the “kiss of peace,” as well as to receive communion through their hands.
Those who are ill are advised to hear mass on television or radio.
If mass goers have to cough, the bishop said they have to cover their mouth with handkerchief or with their hands.
The traditional kissing, touching or wiping of handkerchief on images are also discouraged.
The bishop is yet to issue guidelines on how to observe the coming Holy Week, which traditionally draws huge crowds in processions and masses.
The Diocese of Dipolog has ecclesiastical jurisdiction over the province of Zamboanga del Norte. (PNA)
