With the country now in the middle of efforts to contain the China virus outbreak, the minority leader in the House of Representatives on Monday urged the President to declare Sunday, March 22 a “National Day of Prayer” as a way to unify a country “that has always turned to faith in the darkest of times.”
“Today we face an unprecedented public health crisis that will test our people and stretch our resources.”
“History, however, has shown that the Filipino people have always overcome the challenges confronting them with resolve and faith,” said the bloc’s leader, Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr., a pastor and the founder of the Metropolitan Bible Baptist Church and Ministries.
“As government mobilizes its resources and rallies the people in efforts to prevent the spread of this disease, I urge President Rodrigo Duterte to declare this Sunday, March 22 a National Day of Prayer, to help unify the country in prayer and faith and to inspire all of us to set aside our differences as we confront a disease that threatens us all.”
Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano backed Abante’s urging, saying that everybody—regardless of religion or faith, should unite against the COVID-19.
Abante said that while religious activities have been restricted as part of precautions to slow down the COVID-19 outbreak, “this does not mean we should stop praying for the safety of our families and our country.
Guidelines issued by Malacañang now prohibit mass gatherings such as movie screenings, concerts, sporting events and other entertainment activities, community assemblies, and non-essential work-related gatherings shall be prohibited.
However, essential work-related meetings and religious activities may continue so long as strict social distancing”•defined as the strict maintenance of a distance of at least one meter radius between and among those attending”•is maintained during the entirety of the event.
Abante said he would strictly enforce the said guidelines in his congregation, and would encourage other pastors to comply with government advisories.
“The government needs the cooperation of everyone, and I believe religious leaders have an obligation to set an example for their flock in the days to come.