P1.3 million earmarked for ‘Devotee City’

The Cebu City government has earmarked P1.3 million to set up the Devotee City at the Compania Maritima compound.

City Councilor Eugenio Gabuya, Jr., deputy mayor for public services, said the city is now preparing the 2,000-square meter area at the back of the Senior Citizen's Park in Barangay Ermita, across the City Hall, where the 120 container vans will be placed.

“We are hoping to install all the vans within the week to accommodate our pilgrims kay mag-start na ang novena masses,” he told The FREEMAN.

He said the city in coordination with the Cebu provincial government will continue accommodating the devotees from far-flung provinces who want to pay homage to the Holy Child on His feast day.

Gabuya said the 120 container vans will cater to at least 3,000 pilgrims for free.

To those who want to avail of free accommodation, he said, should present a bus or boat ticket as proof for the registration.

Once they have registered, the pilgrims would be given an identification card and assigned to a container van where they could stay.

Each container van can accommodate between 30 to 50 people.

The city government will provide basic services, which include portable toilets, dirty kitchen, shower rooms, water and electricity, among others.

The city government has been setting up the Devotee City since 1995.

The city will prioritize those devotees who are living beyond Danao City in the north, Carcar City in the south, and from other provinces.

“Atong gi-transfer sa luyo sa Senior Citizen's Park kay ang sauna nga lugar sa Compania Maritima daghan naman mga stores nag open bati pud kon atong i-block ilang view,” Gabuya said.

He said the city will start accepting devotees next week, but those who will arrive this week will still be accommodated. The container vans, on the other hand, are expected to arrive today or tomorrow.

Gabuya said the launching of the Devotee City is scheduled for January 19 with a Mass at 4 p.m. at the Compania Maritima compound.