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CEBU CITY, Philippines - The Cebu City government has once again set up a “Devotee City” to house over 1,500 out-of-town visitors with no place to stay for this year’s Sinulog.
A total of 75 modified container vans that can house 20 to 25 people each will be available from January 16 to 18.
The temporary shelters are located near the Plaza Independencia and Fort San Pedro in downtown Cebu City.
The Devotee City is reserved exclusively for low-income travelers from outside the metropolitan area.
To be accommodated in the Devotee City, a person must pass a screening process, according to Councilor Edwin Jagmoc.
Target beneficiaries come from far-flung towns.
They will have to present a residence certificate from their home barangay (village).
Residents from Danao City or farther north of Cebu Province and from Carcar City or farther south will be accommodated.
Out-of-towners must also show evidence of their travel, such as a bus or boat ticket.
Identification cards will be issued to Devotee City occupants to help authorities maintain security in the area, Jagmoc said.
The annual Devotee City project is also the city’s way of “preventing devotees from loitering around the city and sleeping in areas seen and used by tourists and locals,” he said.
Free water and electric power are available but transients are advised to bring sleeping mats since the best that the city could provide are carton sheets, Jagmoc said.
House rules will also be maintained.
“We will not allow liquor, gambling, and bladed, pointed or sharp objects,” Jagmoc said.
But selling of wares is allowed. Jagmoc said City Hall recognized that many devotees come to the city for the Sinulog to sell candles and Sinulog-related items.
Sign boards will be placed in key streets leading to the Devotee City.
The area will be secured by the Waterfront police station, tanods (security officers) from Barangay San Roque and Sto. Niño, and the Presidential Security Group.
City Hall allocated P500,000 to set up the Devotee City.
This will be the 13th year that the city government establishes a Devotee City.
