The Davao City Public Safety and Security Command Center and the Roman Catholic Church dioceses have agreed on some arrangements for the safe and secure holding of activities in observance of the Holy Week.
In a message to the City Information Office (CIO), PSSCC head Angel Sumagaysay said that his office already coordinated with the churches on the scope and location of church activities, including the activities which are not allowed.
“Kadaghanan sa loob ng compound ang activities. Kung sa labas man naa ra sa duol naka-ready ang security cluster mag-assist sa mga simbahan (Majority of the activities will be held within the (church) compound. If there will be activities outside, the security cluster is nearby to assist them),” Sumagaysay said.
He said that the city government is deploying security personnel near churches to provide immediate assistance.
He said that the re-enactment of crucifixion, penitential or voluntary self-whipping, and kissing of religious images and sculptures are among the activities that are not allowed per the advice of the representative of Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles, DD.
Sumagaysay said that the bringing of backpacks, wearing jackets, and bringing non-transparent water containers are also not allowed for security reasons. The wearing of a facemask remains mandatory.
Apart from churches, the PSSCC in coordination with the security cluster, through its Oplan Semana Santa 2022, vacation sites and tourist destinations of the city and other convergence areas during the Holy Week are also given priority by the security cluster.
Also on April 8, 2022, the Philippine Drug and Enforcement Agency XI in coordination with City Anti-Drug Abuse Council and PSSCC conducted Oplan Harabas, a simultaneous nationwide drug test for bus drivers and conductors to ensure that they are not involved in drugs. This is done to ensure the safety of travelers. CIO
