CEBU, Philippines - The city government opened the Devotee City officially yesterday.
The site, located behind the Cebu City Hall, will provide temporary shelter to pilgrims of the Santo Niño from outside Cebu City.
City officials headed by Mayor Michael Rama opened the Devotee City.
According to Councilor Mary Ann Delos Santos, co-chairperson of the committee for the Devotee City, at least 2,000 pilgrims have taken refuge at the site as of 5 p.m. yesterday.
The devotees are from Pinamungahan, Carcar and Toledo City in Cebu and even from Agusan del Sur in Mindanao.
“There is no heart stronger than that of a devotee,†Delos Santos said in her speech.
Councilor Roberto Cabarubias, head of the committee for the Devotee City, said he could see from the past three years that pilgrims have been given more comfortable accommodation. They used to be houses in tents but are now sheltered in cargo containers.
“Sa una, sa plaza pa magkagubot ang mga deboto nya way saktong katulgan. Karon, magpadayon gihapon nga hayahay ang ilang sitwasyon diri sulod sa Devotee City (It used to be chaotic before at the plaza and devotees did not anything to sleep under. Now, they are more comfortable here in the Devotee City),†Cabarubias said.
Aside from showing their devotion to the Santo Niño, some pilgrims have also found the Sinulog as an opportunity to earn because they have brought items to sell like accessories. – Arian Sweden Mae C. Cosmiano USJ-R Masscomm Intern/JMO (FREEMAN)