READY FOR YOUTH DAY. Cebu Archbishop Jose S. Palma answers queries from the media in connection with the holding of the National Youth Day, during a press briefing at the Archbishop's Residence in Cebu City on Monday (April 22, 2019). At least 11,500 pilgrims from Cebu and different parts of the country are expected to gather for the six-day event. (Photo by John Rey Saavedra)
CEBU CITY -- Cebu Archbishop Jose S. Palma reiterated on Monday that national government officials are not allowed to flaunt themselves during any of the activities in line with the National Youth Day 2019 in Cebu.
"To be candid, we do not invite any, strictly speaking, government officials in the national level. We don't want to give impressions that we are making this event as an opportunity for the leaders to be seen and influence voters," Palma said during a press briefing at the Archbishop's Residence here.
The Cebu prelate explained that the National Youth Day is "more of a religious event" for the country's youth. The event will be broken down into different activities in separate venues around Metro Cebu.
Palma, however, praised local government officials who, although not welcome to conduct campaign activities at any of the activity sites, helped the Archdiocese of Cebu by providing them with venues and transportation.
He said cooperation among government agencies, military, police, and media in Cebu is "very vibrant" during celebrations and big events compared to other places.
Meanwhile, Palma said Cebu is ready for the start of the National Youth Day 2019 on Tuesday, April 23.
On Tuesday, more than 10,000 young pilgrims from all over the country are expected to arrive at the different seaports in the province and at the Mactan airport.
They will be joined by more than 1,500 local pilgrims who also registered as official delegates for the six-day event.
Rev. Fr. Joselito "Batitoy" Gutierrez, festival site coordinator, said that all of the nine festival sites that can be found within Metro Cebu are also ready to accommodate the pilgrims.
Aside from preparations at the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC) where the opening ceremony will be held, the International Eucharistic Congress Pavilion is prepared as a festival site for this city's north area and the University of San Jose-Recoletos-Basak Campus for the south.
Other festival sites readied are the Hoops Dome in Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City Cultural and Sports Complex, the Regional Training Center-7 in Consolacion, Panfil Frasco Gym in Liloan, Girls Town in Talisay City, Boy's Town in Minglanilla, and the Enan Chiong Activity Center in Naga City.
Gutierrez said all of the 52 parishes, along with hundreds of foster parents, are ready to house the pilgrims.
Rev. Fr. Conegundo Garganta, head of the Episcopal Commission on Youth of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), said the Church has expected "some kind of an explosion for the young people… in their singing, dancing, chats, conversations, and dialogues."
"It is the nature of the young people to bring life and dynamism into an event or an occasion much like the celebration of the National Youth Day. It will be a kind of beautiful experience not only to those who will be coming to Cebu but for the Universal Church to celebrate the youthfulness of our young people," he said. (PNA)
