P100M cost of using vacant SRP lot ‘too much’ for Archbishop

IT would have cost P100 million to hold the Nov. 30 thanksgiving Mass for the canonization of Blessed Pedro Calungsod in the South Road Properties (SRP) in Cebu City.

With that, Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma said “no, thank you” to the offer and agreed with organizers to move the venue to the Mandaue City Reclamation Area.

A P100 million estimate would have covered the cost of filling the open area and developing it to look like a shrine, building the orchestra space, and the enthronement stages.

The cost was presented in Wednesday’s meeting with the Calungsod organizing committee and Archbishop Palma.

Paul Hubahib, representative of Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, said that since the 29-hectare SRP lot behind the SRP welcome sign was below ground level, it would have to be filled by at least one-half meter.

Archbishop Palma told the group that it would be difficult to justify this large expense for a one-day affair.

“The contractor was also asking for tax credits,” in exchange for his services, said Hubahib.

Mayor Rama, who learned of the change of venue by reading about in in the newspapers, said he didn’t mind.

“We are even prepared to help in terms of logistics for as long as this will not be questioned by COA,” he said.

The mayor said he was confident that Cebu City’s economy would still benefit from the gathering as most of the hotels are in the city.

A cost estimate for the proposed thanksgiving Mass at the SRP was presented in the Wednesday meeting.

Instead, the committee moved the venue to the Mandaue City Reclamation Area, where road access is wider than the South Coastal Road. And planned to hold it on Nov. 30.

Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes already agreed to host the Calungsod thanksgiving Mass, said Hubahib.

Calungsod, a Cebuano martyr, will be canonized on Oct. 21./Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac