DOH asks Pinoys to observe ‘one parent, one child’ rule at Luneta papal Mass

Expecting at least five million attendees at the concluding Mass of Pope Francis' visit, the Department of Health on Monday asked that a "one parent, one child" policy be observed by those who plan to flock to the Quirino Grandstand on January 18.

In a press briefing on Monday, DOH Asst. Sec. Gerardo Bayugo said such a "rule" may prevent children getting lost or going missing during the Mass on Jan. 18.

"If you want to bring small children—kung pupwede hindi infants—as a rule, we would like to recommend na one parent, one child, para maiwasan 'yung may nawawalang bata," he said.

He also asked attendees to "have concern for the safety of others," and to "not push and shove other devotees."

According to Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr., the authorities are expecting at least five million people to attend the concluding Mass, an estimate patterned after figures from the 1995 visit of now-Saint John Paul II.

However, he clarified that the crowd may "spill over" to Roxas Boulevard, as the Rizal Park can only accommodate 1 million to 1.2 million people in itself.

Health tips during event

During the press briefing, Bayugo also asked the attendees to bring fans or raincoats "instead of umbrellas ... so as not to obstruct the views of others."

He also encouraged pregnant women, especially those near their due dates, "na baka pwedeng sa television na lang [manood], or somewhere not crowded."

Attendees should also "bring plenty of water to prevent dehydration," he said, also urging "those with chronic illnesses with maintenance medication" to bring their medicines.

DOH preps

Bayugo said they started planning for their participation in the five-day visit in the latter half of 2014, with preparations geared towards:

• first-aid "in all areas of engagement" (i.e. Villamor Air Base, University of Santo Tomas, SM Mall of Asia, Manila Cathedral, and Rizal Park);
• transportation and ambulances; and
• scoordination with receiving hospitals.

There will be 20 first-aid stations at the site, Bayugo said. Twenty ambulances "with teams" will also be on standby during the event, as well as 120 volunteers—including volunteers for the annual Translacion of the Black Nazarene from Quirino Grandstand to Quiapo, which will be held days before the Pope's arrival on Jan. 15.

"For the Quirino activity, sa Luneta, isang particular group we have tapped is the Nazareno volunteers, kasi sanay na sila sa pag-handle ng crowded faithful. We made it a point [to ask] na itong mga expert na Nazareno volunteers," he said.

Bayugo added that their preparations also involve the Philippine Red Cross, other medical groups from Metro Manila, including private hospitals.

"All DOH hospitals in Metro Manila are ready to receive the patients from the congregation sites. We have coordinated with several government hospitals and private medical centers in the area," he said. — BM, GMA News