Leyte diocese seeks donor to fund Christianization fete projects

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Philippines — The Diocese of Maasin is resorting to solicitations to finance projects for the 500th anniversary of the first Mass on Limasawa Island in Leyte province in 2021, amid lack of government support.

Jerome Paler, a member of the Limasawa commission overseeing the preparations for the quincentennial celebration of the country’s Christianization, said they were seeking donors to help raise funds to build needed facilities.

The projects include the installation of a pilgrimage center/shrine, a tower of light and cross, and 500 solar lampposts around Limasawa Island where the first Mass in the country took place on March 31, 1521.

“These projects are to be funded by everybody,” Paler said. He, however, could not say how much the projects would cost as they would only depend on the amount they could raise.

President Duterte earlier said the government would not fund any project connected to the celebration, noting that it would also commemorate the arrival of the Spaniards who conquered the Philippines for over three centuries.

The government, however, promised to shoulder costs for the sociocultural aspects of the celebration.

The 500 solar lampposts costing P40,000 each would signify the quincentennial celebration, Paler said.—JOEY GABIETA