Bishop Ruperto Santos
BALANGA CITY — Bishop Ruperto C. Santos on Saturday assured provincial leaders of the full cooperation of the Diocese of Balanga on the concrete plans and actions to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease.
The prelate made the assurance during the visit of Mayors Maria Angela Garcia of Dinalupihan, Aida Macalinao of Samal, Joseph Inton of Hermosa, and Francis Garcia of Balanga City.
With the bishop were Rev. Fathers Joshue Enero, Percival Medina, and Antonio Quintos.
“We assured our honorable mayors of our cooperation and collaboration, reiterating that we are one and united with them for the common good and wellbeing of our people. We are partners, working hand in hand for their safety, success and sound health,” Santos said.
He added that the diocese is compliant and consistent in observing the protocols of the National Inter-Agency Task Force as well as the Bataan IATF.
“We stress the importance of the protocols to our flock that we all must follow and fulfill,’’ the bishop said.
He said they shared to the mayors the Liturgical Guidelines of the Diocese of Balanga on the celebration of the Holy Eucharist and other sacraments during the pandemic.
Santos thanked Gov. Albert Garcia and expressed appreciation to the governor for lifting through a resolution the ban on religious gatherings effective October 1. The governor chairs the provincial IATF that issued the resolution with detailed provisions on safety and health protocols.
“Likewise, we are thankful to the local government units of Bataan for their cooperation, resiliency, and open-mindedness since the pandemic began. Their steadfastness led to the overall efficient implementation and increased compliance of the people to the directives,” the bishop noted.
“When there is partnership and collaboration, great things happen,” he added.
This, as he asked his brother-priests to consistently take into consideration what is best and apply whatever is most necessary.
“Let us always be vigilant and never let our guards down against Covid–19. With our liturgical guidelines, pastoral directives and the IATF Bataan resolution, we will surely stop the spread of this virus and surpass this pandemic,” he appealed.
“United in our fervent prayers and bound by the common goal of overcoming this pandemic, help is at hand. Healing descends upon our land, our beloved province of Bataan,” Santos said.
