Wednesday, January 17, 2007 Vans ready for 1.4T pilgrims By Rene H. Martel Sun.Star Staff Reporter
WHILE biblical accounts say there was no room at the inn for Jesus Christ and his parents, pilgrims for this year’s Fiesta Señor will find not only a roof over their heads, but also food and water.
Ready too are the people who are willing to make each visiting devotee’s life as comfortable as possible.
“The least, the lost and the last in the society, we will give priority,” said Councilor Arsenio Pacaña in announcing the opening of the Cebu City Government’s Devotee City yesterday.
City Hall, through Aboitiz Shipping’s 2Go, added more container vans that will serve as the home of the devotees for three days, starting this Friday up to Sunday.
The City is making two-story shelters so the Devotee City can house more people who will come to Cebu City for the Fiesta Señor.
Councilor Jocelyn Pesquera, Devotee City project chairperson, said that contrary to earlier reports, the shelter will be in the same venue for the past 12 years.
That will be beside the walls of Fort San Pedro at the foot of the statue of Ferdinand Magellan’s chronicler Antonio Pigafetta, across the Aduana building in Cebu City’s pier area.
24-hour security
With 70 vans instead of last year’s 50, Pesquera said they can accommodate up to 1,400 visitors.
Several Devotee City regulars are candle vendors from all over Cebu who come by the busloads, said Pesquera.
Councilor Edwin Jagmoc Sr. also said that tanods and policemen will be guarding the Devotee City 24 hours a day.
The councilors thanked corporate sponsors like fastfood chain Jollibee and Aboitiz for helping City Hall through the years.
Corporations will give food to the devotees, while City will provide the services, which include free medical check-ups and physical examinations.
The same house rules apply: no liquor, cigarettes or gambling on premises.
Firearms, explosives and other weapons are also not allowed.
Nightly activities on Friday and Saturday will follow the Devotee City’s opening on Friday morning.
Pacaña said that as spiritual help, masses will be held and the people can have their confessions heard also.
He said the City has “shown its heart by working that what happened to Jesus will not happen to the poor who are in town to pay homage to the Holy Child.”
