RAIN or shine, the Statio Orbis mass at the South Reclamation Properties (SRP) will proceed on Sunday as scheduled.
The organizers of the 51st International Eucharistic Congress (IEC), local officials and the police are ready to hold the closing mass of the congress.
Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma said that despite options to transfer the Statio Orbis to another venue, they decided to stick to the original plan.
“We will find a way to make it dry. We will continue the original plan to hold it at the SRP,” Palma, 51st IEC president, said.
He said that there is no other venue in Cebu that can match the size of the SRP.
He said they have consulted the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), who told them that skies will be sunny until Sunday.
But if rain comes, Palma said, the delegates better be ready with raincoats, which are included in their kits, and rain-ready footwear.
If the delegates are concerned with their health, they can skip the closing mass, he said.
Palma reminded everyone, however, that last year, Pope Francis was able to hold mass in the middle of a storm in Tacloban City.
“Even in Tacloban, the people were not afraid of the storm. We should not be afraid of the mud,” Palma said.
There will be no masses in all churches under the Archdiocese of Cebu after 1 p.m. on Sunday.
Youth Day
Last Wednesday, organizers of the Youth Day, one of the activities of the IEC, decided to change the route of the procession called the Jericho Walk. They moved the venue of yesterday’s youth vigil from the Mandani Bay in Mandaue City to the Hoopsdome in Lapu-Lapu City.
Despite the last-minute changes, the Youth Day activities went on without any hitch, except for a power outlet that emitted smoke at the Hoopsdome.
At least 4,300 youth delegates, some of them in raincoats, joined the pilgrim walk within Lapu-Lapu.
Throughout the event, the weather was fine and the sun was up.
It was a peaceful and festive event, said Senior Supt. Arnel Amor Libed, Lapu-Lapu City Police chief.
At the Cebu City Hall, Acting Mayor Edgardo Labella ordered city officials who are working with the IEC organizers to make the mass site as convenient and comfortable as they can for the delegates and participants.
Labella said he has ordered SRP manager Roberto Varquez to use a machine to siphon puddles, if needed.
He asked everyone to bear with the challenges that the organizers are facing, and sacrifice a little for the success of IEC.
As of yesterday, the sound system, LED screens and some chairs were already placed at the San Pedro Calungsod templete, where the mass will be held.
Varquez said the mass site has been filled with gravel so that participants don’t get stuck in mud.
City Hall has allowed 25 vendors to sell food and water near the template on Sunday.
Police ready
The police are ready with their security measures should there be a change in venue, Senior Supt. Rey Lyndon Lawas of the Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 said.
Lawas said the PRO 7 has provided police officers with raincoats.
In related news, 16 IEC delegates ferried off to Bohol last Tuesday despite the bad weather to visit the churches destroyed by the earthquake on Oct. 15, 2013.
The delegates are four Italians, four Americans and nine Filipinos. They were assisted by a tour guide.
The delegates had sought permission for the trip and they were given security during their tour.