CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama ordered that the San Pedro Calungsod template at the South Road Properties be secured while there is no decision yet on what will happen with the structure.
Rama said that the template seemed to have been forgotten after the major event as no one was securing it when he dropped by the site last Sunday.
He said he ordered the nearest police station to guard the area and keep it safe from those who might vandalize the place.
The future of the template is yet to be decided by the Cebu City Government and the Archdiocese of Cebu.
Though there is a clamor from the church to preserve the template, the city government is yet to discuss the implications of the matter.
Rama said he wants to have a meeting first with the Cebu Investment and Promotions Center, the marketing arm of the city government, and the Cultural and Historical Affairs Commission.
“Basin naa’y buyer na ma-incorporate ang template sa iyang plano, e di mas maayo, (Maybe there is a buyer who could incorporate the template in his plan. It would be much better.)” Rama said.
The template was constructed on the 27-hectare entertainment block at the SRP. It is the block across the lot sold to SM Prime Holdings and along the Mambaling access road.
The template alone occupied 700-square meters or 2,000 square meters including the periphery. Rama said that if the template is to be made a landmark, there are requirements that need to be met.
“Klaruhon pa sad ang mga dokumento ana kay ang tag-iya sa yuta, ang city government, ang sa structure, ang simbahan. It must have complete documentation, (The documents need to be finalized because the city government owns the lot while the church owns the structure.)” the mayor said.
Rama said that hosting another major event is a challenge that they are willing to take. He said Cebu successfully hosted a national event with almost one million participants.
Meanwhile, the Police Regional Office (PRO)-7 has lifted the suspension of the Permits to Carry Firearms Outside of Residence (PTCFORs) in Cebu City yesterday after an eight-day implementation for the Thanksgiving Mass of San Pedro Calungsod last November 25.
Chief Supt. Marcelo Garbo Jr., PRO-7 director said they have not arrested violators of the said directive since day one.
“For the record wala kaming nakuha during that day considering the number of participants of the event, (We did not arrest any violator considering the number of participants who attended.)” he said.
The PRO-7 implemented a city-wide heightened alert status as well as the suspension of the PTCFOR which started last November 25 to ensure the safety of those who will attend the mass.
During the gun ban, only the members of the Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and other law enforcement agencies who performed official duties and in agency-prescribed uniforms were allowed to carry firearms.
This was based on the Memorandum Circular Number 2011-021 or “Policies and Procedures in the Suspension of PTCFOR from the Camp Crame.
This directive was also implemented to ensure safety of those who will attend the mass. —/MIT (FREEMAN)