Devotee City gets P1.1 million budget

CEBU, Philippines — A total of P1.1 million has been appropriated as operating expenses of the Devotee City, which will house transients who do not have a place to stay for the Fiesta Señor and the Sinulog.

Councilor Eugenio Gabuya Jr., chairman of the committee on public services, said the city allocated P500,000 while the rest came from the Capitol. The provincial government also shouldered the rentals for the container vans. Gabuya said the city government is renting 58 container vans at P560 a day.

Unlike last year where the city only spent for hauling, Gabuya said the shipping company did not anymore offer the use of containers for free.

“Naa may sudden change sa atong partner, nagpa-abang na sila sa ilahang shipping containers,” said former councilor Roberto Cabarrubias, co-chairman of the Devotee City.

He explained that the shipping company that offered free use of container vans last year already has a new management. The containers were already installed at the open space near Compania Maritima. The Devotee City will be officially opened today.

The devotee city is open to all transients living beyond Danao City in the north and beyond Carcar City in the south.

Gabuya said every container van can accommodate at least 50 individuals. He said most of the occupants are vendors during Sinulog.

Records show that in 2015, there were 3, 377 people availed the free accommodation. The number increased to 3,464 in 2016. There were only 2, 372 in 2017 while 3,131 last year.

Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office head Baltazar Tribunalo said they deployed at least 82 house parents to help monitor the occupants. If the transients have concerns, they should approach the assigned house parents.

“Ato ning gi-pattern sa nahitabo kaniadto nga tungod kay atoang approach children protection and atong gitan-aw ang welfare sa family,” Tribunalo said.

He also said the house parents will help distribute the donated meals from private companies to the occupants. As of yesterday, two private companies pledged to donate packed meals for the transients today.

“Actually walay free meals, sa atoang experience daghang private companies mo anha mo-drop by, mo share sa ilahang food,” Gabuya said.

At least 10 shower faucets and portable toilets have been installed at the Devotee City. The Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) provided potable water supply while the Visayan Electric Company also supplied electricity. — FPL (FREEMAN)