CEBU, Philippines - The Devotee City, which was opened for pilgrims in the recent Sinulog, will remain open until the end of the month even if only four people are staying there for the International Eucharistic Congress, Cebu City acting mayor Edgardo Labella said yesterday.
“Although most people were aware of the existence of Devotee City, mingaw gihapon siya tungod kay kasagaran nga nianhi sa Sinulog kay kadto rang gusto mag-enjoy sa Sinulog. Unya dili sad ingon ana ka daghan atong gi-expect nga gibisita pero giandam nato ug atong gitukod gihapon na siya kay in case naay influx of so many devotees for IEC,” Labella said.
The city government extended the use of the Devotee City at the Compaña Maritima compound until Sunday to accommodate attendees of the IEC who may not have anywhere to stay at while in Cebu. It was supposed to be closed last January 18 after the Sinulog Grand Parade.
Meriam Cabaluna, administration officer of the office of Councilor Roberto Cabarrubias, said the Devotee City can actually accommodate up to 4,000 people. This was the number of devotees who stayed there during the Sinulog.
Three of the four people staying there now are from Leyte while the other one is from Dumanjug, Cebu.
Still, Cabaluna said more might stay there come Friday.
“Nag-expect mi nga modaghan ang moabot para sa IEC karong Biyernes kay duna may open sa public nga activity sa Plaza (Independencia),” she said.
At least 120 20-footer container vans are available at the Devotee City. It has free electricity and water and has a shower area and kitchen, among others.
She said those who would want to seek shelter there should present bus or boat tickets to prove travel and that they are not from the city. Cabaluna said they will only accept those living beyond Danao City in the north of Cebu and beyond Carcar City in the south.
She said there are areas in the Devotee City that are used to house night dwellers, but IEC attendees will be prioritized.
“Dili kaayo kuti ang IEC compared sa Sinulog. Mo-give up na gani unta mi kay wala gyod tao but dili man ipabungkag ni mayor,” she said. – (FREEMAN)