Pilgrim center opens 8 a.m. for Nov. 30 national thanksgiving

TENTS were set up in the Compania Maritima grounds for pilgrims coming to Cebu for the Calungsod Thanksgiving Mass.

It’s not a place to sleep over but only a rest stop for the day.

Councilor Roberto Cabarrubias said the pilgrim center will only accommodate those who want to rest, drink water or watch the live telecast of the Mass.

“We are only using tents because we anticipate that nobody will be sleeping overnight in the city. Mass participants will be going back to their provinces after the mass anyway,” he said.

The Cebu City government scratched plans to use empty container vans like the Devotee City for pilgrims during the Sinulog.

Cargo forwarders and shipping companies didn’t have enough vacant vans to spare.

Since the pilgrim center is a “one day affair”, Cabarrubias said it was more practical to put up tents for temporary shelter.

Railings were installed to secure the pilgrim center while water stations and chairs were provided.

The pilgrim center is open to the public starting 8 a.m. tomorrow.

It will be manned by City Hall staff and secured by policemen from the nearby Waterfront police and Carbon police precincts. Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac