Cebu Province Gives P500,000 for Devotee City

For the first time, the Provincial Government of Cebu budgeted P500,000 for the mounting and operations of the Devotee City for this year’s Sinulog season.

Baltazar Tribunalo, Cebu Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officer (PDRRMO), said Governor Hilario Davide ordered the assistance considering that majority of the beneficiaries of the Devotee City are from the province and nearby islands.

The Devotee City caters to revelers and devotees from Carcar City and beyond in the south, Danao City and beyond in the north, as well as those from other provinces.

All they have to do is to present a boat or a bus ticket to be accommodated in the Devotee City.

Tribunalo said that other than the budget, members of the disaster teams from the different local government units are also around to augment the emergency responders of Cebu City.

Last year, the PDRRMO participated for the first time as responders in the Sinulog festivities and church observances.

Cebu City Councilor Roberto Cabarubias, who had been assigned to oversee the Devotee City in the last 10 years, said this year the facility can accommodate lesser number of people after a portion is already designated as a commercial area.

“From 120 container vans, there are now just 88, but they still have the basic amenities such as cooking area, washing and bathing area, plus the 10 gig Wifi offered by PLDT,” Cabarubias said.

“There is also an assigned house parent for every container to ensure safety and order in the facility,” Cabarubias added.

There are also policemen assigned 24/7 in the area.

The Devotee City started during the time of the late Cebu City Councilor Fe Mantua Ruiz.

It was then called as “Tent City” set up at the Plaza Independencia.

In the olden times, revelers and devotees from far-flung areas would bring with them pigs and chickens and other food which they will cook for everybody after paying homage to Señor Santo Niño. (fcc/PIA-Cebu)