Solemn Procession: 2M throng route

MANILA, Philippines – Police said at least two million people joined the annual solemn procession yesterday afternoon despite the scorching heat of the sun.

Chief Inspector David Señor, Operations and Police Community Relations chief of Cebu City Police Office, gave the crowd estimate based on the reports given to him by the different ground commanders along the procession route.

Señor said that as of 6 p.m. yesterday there were no crimes recorded in the different police stations related to the religious activity.

There were however more than 40 emergency calls received by the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

Councilor David Tumulak said most of the calls were for people needing medical attention because of extreme heat and congestion. Tumulak described yesterday’s activity as “generally peaceful”.

“It was generally peaceful tungod kay wala tay nadawat nga dagko nga alarma gawas sa mga report nga adunay nakuyapan o nalipong,” said Tumulak, who also heads the CCDRRMC.

Emergency response teams and ambulances were positioned strategically along the processional route while the Command Control Center opened its phone lines to coordinate with the deputized response units.

More than 3,000 police and military personnel were deployed, excluding the auxiliary forces to maintain peace and order.

The Cebu City Transportation Office said the traffic situation was heavy but manageable because there were around 100 traffic personnel deployed to assist and direct motorists away from the procession route.

CCTO Operations Division head Jonathan Tumulak admitted that the solemn procession caused heavy traffic congestion in adjacent and arterial roads connected to the procession route.

“But aside from that, there are no other major problems reported,” he said.

Clearing and towing of vehicles along the route was done as early as 6 a.m. up to 10 a.m. before the road closure was implemented at 12:30 p.m.

At least seven motorcycles, two trisikad, and one bicycle parked along the procession route were impounded by the CCTO.

Pontifical mass

The solemn procession ended up with a pontifical mass celebrated by Palo Archbishop John Du.

Du centered his homily on the family in line with the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines’ declaration of this year as the “Year of the Family, Year of the Eucharist”.

“Remember your family. Love your family. Tungod kay ang pamilya mao ang gitugyanan sa langitnong amahan nga diha kanila makat-on ug makaila kita sa atong mga igsoon, labi na sa Diyos,” said Du to the devotees in the jampacked pilgrim center.

He said the Holy Child reminds everybody that no one is alone in this world because where there is child there surely are parents or guardians.

“Sa iyang pagkabata iya kitang gipahinumduman nga anaa si nanay, si tatay, naa’y mga igsoon ug atong pamilya kung diin pinaagi sa pamilya wala kita mag-inusara,” said Du.

He stressed that some parents, despite the lack of education, strived hard to give their children a good future. Du said he was saddened by the fact that some children refused to recognize the efforts of their parents and instead think of them as an embarrassment for being uneducated.

“Yes, they are not perfect parents. Ang ubang ginikanan walay grado apan naningkamot. But do we recognize and appreciate their sacrifice? Ang nakapait sa uban nga successful na, ang ilang ginikanan ilang gibiyaan ug gikaulaw,” said Du.

He added that “the success you have achieved is your parents’ gift to you.”

He shared his experience in Palo, Leyte during the super typhoon Yolanda 2013. According to him, during that trying time he witnessed how parents are willing to sacrifice for their children.

“Parents’ love is willing to sacrifice for the sake of the children. But above all, kinihanglan nga ang ginikanan, uban ang mga anak, magtuman sa kabubut-on sa Diyos,” said Du.—with Ma. Fatima R. Secuya/FPL (FREEMAN)