Sunday, April 04, 2004
Alert on for Holy Week
THIS Holy Week, policemen and crime volunteers need not fast while keeping security tight in the city.
The Cebu City Council, in its regular session last Wednesday, allocated for them at least P100,000 for meals and other “incidental expenses.”
While security is the city’s major concern, the Archdiocese of Cebu, for its part, doesn’t want the real message of the celebration to be lost among the youth.
Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal wants the young people to think of the future and use Jesus Christ’s triumph over death as inspiration.
This is Vidal’s message to the youth in today’s celebration of the 19th World Youth Day at the University of San Carlos School for Boys.
Learn from suffering
Msgr. Achilles Dakay, Archdiocesan spokesperson, said that amid the current political and economic crisis in the country, Vidal urges the youth to reflect on how Jesus was able to bear his sufferings.
Vidal noted that personal problems and indifference to society sometimes lead men to do things not in accordance with God’s will.
The cardinal was in Manila yesterday to attend the ordination anniversary of retired Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin and was expected to be back in Cebu last night.
On security matters, Councilors Procopio Fernandez, chairman of the committee on police, fire and penology, and Gerardo Carillo agreed on the need to tap the tanods and anti-crime volunteer groups.
The two sponsored the resolution allocating the meal budget for policemen and volunteers.
The budget will be good for Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday and will be taken from the P3 million monthly fund from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.
Busy, busy week
The Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), meanwhile, will start implementing safety measures tomorrow. They will watch over crowded areas where criminals usually go.
The Passion of the Cross in Good Shepherd, Banawa, Guadalupe, Cebu City and Easter Sunday’s “Sugat” in Cogon-Ramos and Pardo are among the Lenten activities that were considered.
The police also emphasized the need to secure ports, terminals and beaches.
Supt. Glen Ares, chief of CCPO’s operations branch, said they expect traffic congestion, a long line of processions, huge crowds, campaign sorties, accidents and petty crimes during the Holy Week.
Police assistance centers will also be provided in worship areas.
Ares reminded his teams that “normal operationsagainst criminal elements and dissident terrorists should not be overlooked.” RHM/AIV
(April 4, 2004 issue)
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here. |
