Papal visit Archbishop relies on LGUs’ help

PALO, LEYTE, Philippines – Palo Archbishop John Du yesterday disclosed that government officials are most welcome to join the ordinary faithful during the Papal Mass or be inside the Palo Cathedral to be among the laity together with the clergy, religious sisters and seminarians.

The politicians and government officials can take their respective places in the airport apron for the papal mass or inside the Cathedral along with the laity, but will not be at the Archbishop's Residence (now called Gonzaga House) in Barangay Arado, Palo where the pope will have his luncheon with Yolanda and quake survivors.

Pope Francis is slated to deliver a short message at the Cathedral after the luncheon and then bless the mass grave in the grounds of the Palo Cathedral.

Du also cited the support and cooperation of the local government units in ensuring the success of the papal visit. He said that they coordinated with the church and the security forces, especially in providing help for the transportation and logistics that the pilgrims or delegates need.

"I have heard there are delegates who are having concerns about their transportation fare. The police and the mayor can help here because they have the machinery while the church has none," said Du, adding that the parish priest will gather the delegates while the police and the mayor can look for their means of transportation.

Father Amadeo Alvero, head of the archdiocese information and social communications, said each parish can use its respective initiative to meet the needs of the delegates. Each pilgrim will only be spending P100 for three meals, inclusive of supper on January 16 and breakfast and lunch on January 17. Potable water supply will come from donations, he said.

Alvero said the parish will borrow trucks to transport the delegates to and from Tacloban City, where the papal mass will be held, and that the diesel will be provided free by benevolent donors and parishioners. Transparent bags for every delegated will be given free also, he said.

On accommodations, at least 50 public schools in Tacloban and Palo, including a few private schools, were identified as holding and vigil areas for the pilgrims.

Meanwhile, Leyte Governor Dominic Petilla said the provincial government is now ready for the papal visit to the province on January 17. He said all were done, such as the beautification, widening and clearing of roadsides along the papal motorcade, transportation and accommodations of the pilgrims, the venue of the papal Mass, security forces, medical corps and contingency plans.

Petilla said security measures and other requirements are now "reconsidered and relaxed" for the pilgrims to encourage them to attend the Papal Mass. He said there were some amendments on security set-up, and that some misconceptions and misinformation have been ironed out.

Chief Superintendent Asher Dolina, director of the Police Regional Office-8, said the ID system would be only for crowd management, such as arrangements at the Mass at the airport. The required registration of pilgrims has been scrapped, and that the rerouting scheme would not apply to the pilgrims but only for the public or motorists to and from elsewhere.

Dolina said the pilgrims from outside Tacloban will be housed first in the holding areas or their places of accommodation, for inspection and checking, and they will be transported to the airport. Only the buses with car passes are allowed to enter the holding areas and the car passes are now ready for distribution.