A Catholic bishop is asking Manila authorities to consider shortening curfew hours when the traditional “Simbang Gabi starts in December.

Bishop Broderick Pabillo, administrator of the Manila archdiocese, made the appeal to allow the faithful to attend the nine-day dawn Masses leading to Christmas Day.

“We are asking that they adjust the end of the curfew to 3:30 am during those days of Simbang Gabi and no curfew on December 24 evening,” Pabillo said over Radio Veritas.

Churches also hold anticipated Masses in the evening to accommodate the needs of the faithful on different work schedules.

“We are just waiting for the response of the LGU, especially about the curfew,” he said.

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno on Wednesday asked the Church to start preparing guidelines on the conduct of Simbang Gabi while adhering strictly to safety protocols.

A uniform curfew from 10pm to 5am is currently imposed in Metro Manila as part of the stricter implementation of the general community quarantine to combat the coronavirus pandemic.