Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma share a moment with the City councils headed by vice mayor Edgardo Labella (3rd from right) after discussing their preparation for the coming 51st International Eucharistic congress next year during the executive session. (CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA)
Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma yesterday asked Cebu City officials to help provide security and transportation for delegates of the 2016 International Eucharistic Congress.
Almost one million participants are expected for the event on Jan. 24-31, the week after the Sinulog.
In an executive session with the City Council, Palma also asked the city government to beautify streets leading to the IEC venues – Plaza Independencia, the Calungsod Templete in South Road Properties and a soon-to-rise pavilion in the San Carlos Seminary in Mabolo.
Msgr. Dennis Villarojo said they expect 500,000 to a million participants. He asked the city to declare Jan. 29, 2016 a non-working holiday in Cebu City so that a procession scheduled that day can use the entire stretch of Osmeña Boulevard.
“Considering that the IEC will be held close to the Sinulog (on the 3rd Sunday of January), what can the city do to secure the presence of foreign delegates of the congress?” Councilor Sisinio Andales asked.
Councilor Gerardo Carillo said the city can offer Sinulog tents for IEC participants who can’t afford to stay in hotels.
Palma thanked the council for forgoing collection of fees on the Archdiocese’s permit applications for the construction of an IEC pavillion inside the San Carlos seminary compound.
“Expect that as prepartations continue, we will come again and hope that you can help us, Palma told the council.
Councilor Alvin Dizon asked if Pope Francis is coming to Cebu for the IEC.
Palma said he is flying to Rome on June 15 for the IEC organizational meetings and is hoping to get feedback by then.
Experience
He said the congress was originally scheduled on June 2016 but was moved to January 2016 because of the pope’s interest to attend and his scheduled travels on July 2016.
The opening Mass on Jan. 24 is scheduled at the Plaza Independencia.
Activities scheduled at the IEC pavilion will be limited to 15,000 participants from various parts of the country and abroad.
On Jan. 26, IEC delegates will sample Cebuano culture in visits to museums and heritage sites in their own version of “Gabii sa Kabilin”.
Another Mass is scheduled at the Cebu Capitol grounds on Jan. 29 which will be followed by a procession to Plaza Independencia.
Msgr. Vicente Tupaz Jr. said they will gather 5,000 children at the Cebu City Sports Center on Jan. 30 for the first communion Mass and Sinulog presentation.
The closing Mass is on January 31 at the San Pedro Calungsod templete at the South Road Properties (SRP).