Devotee City to accommodate 100 more devotees

CEBU, Philippines — More devotees will now be accommodated at the Devotee City as the Cebu City Government installed more numbers of container vans compared to last year.

In an interview with the media Monday, Councilor Francis Esparis said they just recently finished their coordination meeting with the other departments to prepare the Devotee City. The ground preparation will begin this January 16, 2024 which will also serve as the day the 30 container vans will be installed.

Last year, there were only at least 20 container vans that can cater up to 400 devotees. While for this year, 2024, the 30 container vans can accommodate up to 500 devotees.

“Mao ni atong ibutang na kasamtangang shelter para sa atong mga devotees na moari sa atong Dakbayan sa Sugbo sa nagkadaiyang probinsya, syudad ug kalungsuran ug gani, aduna pay pipila niini, based sa among observation nga duna pay manakay og barko aron moari diri,” said Esparis.

According to Esparis, those who may want to avail the free accommodation may only need to present their respective bus or sea vessel tickets to prove that they come from the other towns.

The Devotee City will be located at the roadside in front of the Cebu City Central Post Office, Pigafetta Road. The shelter will, however, be on a first-come, first-serve basis.

“Ato sad kinahanglan kanila, usa niini na motahud sila sa atong house rules, no smoking, no liquors, no sharp objects or weapons, no ID, no entry,” said Esparis.

He added, they will be handing out official IDs for the devotees that will also serve as their pass in going in and out from the Devotee City.

Furthermore, Esparis said the whole area will be also closely-monitored by the local police and barangay tanods.

The official launching of the Devotee City will be on January 19, 2024 which will be started with a mass. The registration will also begin on the same day. — (FREEMAN)