Engineers work to address flooding in Calungsod thanksgiving venue

A little over a week before the big day, about a tenth of the San Pedro Calungsod Templete still needs to be worked on.

But organizers of the national thanksgiving Mass for the second Filipino saint on Nov. 30 are confident, the templete which will hold the altar and pulpit will be ready for the historic event.

Construction of the templete in the Cebu City government owned lot in the South Road Properties (SRP) has been beset with trials, ranging from work slowed down by rains, and even flooding in the 27-hectare property two days ago.

But Fr. Brian Brigoli, vice chairman of the committee on venue, admitted that the area will really be muddy if heavy rain will fall on the big day.

If this happens, Brigoli said, devotees may just consider that as part of their sacrifices.

As of yesterday, Fr. Brian Brigoli,, said the templete is 90 percent complete. It will be totally finished on November 27 based on their estimate, added Brigoli.

The ground development is expected to be finished by Nov. 29. Engineers have to work on the drainage system in the venue after heavy rains flooded the area.

The rains have also left the ground where tens of thousands are expected to stand while the thanksgiving Mass is ongoing in a muck of mud.

Only the VIP area was cemented, said Brigoli.

To minimize the flooding problem in case rain will happen during the event, Brigoli said, an open canal is being developed around the area to drain the field.

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma earlier appealed for the public to pray for a good weather on November 30.

Church officials estimated at least 500,000 to 1 million people will attend the big celebration.

President Benigno Simeon Aquino III and Vice President Jejomar Binay are set to attend the historic event.

Vatican officials lead by the Cardinal Angelo Amato, prefect of the Congregation of the Causes of Saints, newly installed Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of the Archdiocese of Manila and members of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines are among the hundreds of dignitaries coming for the thanksgiving Mass.