Devotee City opens today

CEBU, Philippines - The Devotee City will start accommodating pilgrims today who could not afford to pay for hotel or pension house accommodations during the Sinulog festivity.

This was revealed yesterday by Councilor Edwin Jagmoc, the chairman of the devotee accommodation committee in the Sinulog 2010.

Jagmoc said that 84 container vans were installed right beside the Fort San Pedro to provide shelter for devotees who will seek temporary shelter.

Devotees living in Cebu towns beyond Carcar City in the south and Danao City in the north and those coming from other provinces are allowed to make good use of the facility.

Jagmoc said that those who want to avail of the temporary shelter should register and present proofs that they come from far towns and provinces.

Such will include bus or ship tickets, aside from the identification cards and other documents like residence certificate or barangay clearance.

He said that almost 2,000 out-of-town and less privileged devotees of the Santo Niño were accommodated at the Devotee City during the festivities last year.

But with the additional 12 ten-footer vans, the councilor expected more devotees to be accommodated starting today until noon on Monday, or a day after the Sinulog.

“Atong gidugangan og mga vans karon kay sa una man god, Sabado pa lang, napuno na ang Devotee City,” Jagmoc said.

The Devotee City is a project of the city government which provides free services like water and electricity to devotees who want to take temporary shelter. It was established in 1996. — Elly Bolonos/MEEV (THE FREEMAN)