With 130 empty container vans being prepared as shelters, Cebu City officials promised a bigger Devotee City for out-of-town visitors who can’t afford to stay in hotels for the Sinulog this week.
The compound of vans, with free light and water, will open Friday beside the Compania Maritima building and can accommodate 3,500 pilgrims or 1,000 more than last year’s accommodations, said Councilor Roberto Cabarrubias, chairman of the devotee city program.
Each container van loaned by shipping companies measures 20-feet.
The compound has 15 portalets and shower rooms.
Twelve uniformed policemen will secure the place 24 hours a day, said Chief Insp. Wildemar Tiu of the Waterfront police precinct.
Jollibee mascots were the first to use the vans yesterday to change costumes before doing a dance medley in a press conference for the project’s launch.
The 28-year-old program was started by the late Cebu City councilor Fe Mantua-Ruiz in 1986 to accommodate out-of-town visitors who can’t afford a hotel or had no relatives to stay with during the Sinulog celebration.
“The city government is trying its best to come up with something decent to accommodate devotees who will be coming to Cebu,” said Councilor Mary Ann delos Santos, the project co-chairperson.
Devotees from northern and southern Cebu have to show their bus tickets upon registration.
Those outside of Cebu province have to show their boat tickets.
Male and female visitors will use separate container vans.
Any spillover arrivals can stay in tents placed near a stage in front of the compound.
Cabarrubias said the city government won’t spend for the visitors meals.
However, several private donors and business enterprise usually send free bread and food to the occupants, a way of sharing their blessings during the Fiesta Señor.