Organizers to faithful: Secure the Pope, discipline yourselves
November 27, 2014 3:55pm
Officials from the government and the church spearheading the organizing committee for Pope Francis' visit in January appealed to the public to "participate" in ensuring his safety by being disciplined at open events.
 
In the weekly press briefing on Thursday, Ambassador Marciano Paynor, executive director of the Organizing Committee, said the Filipino crowds that will gather at the public events during the five-day visit should "contain themselves" during these gatherings.
 
"Let us show [the Pope] that we as a people can offer the kind of hospitality that will keep him safe," said Paynor, who also led the arrangements for the Philippine visit of now-St. John Paul II in 1995 for the World Youth Day celebrations.
 
He said the government was talking to officials in barangays around the venues, while the Catholic Church was doing the same among the parishes, to spread the word.
 
"Sa pagnanais natin na mahawakan ang Santo Papa, maski ang layo layo na natin, we try to reach out... pero ang sinasabi naman namin, pwede naman tayong ma-touch ng Santo Papa maski nasaan tayo [sa venue]. 'Yun sana ang ma-instill sa minds natin. Wala na sana 'yung tulakan, sakitan. Ito 'yung apela namin, ito rin 'yung apela ng mga kasama nating pari," Paynor told reporters.
 
Given that the population has grown since 1995, he added that they're expecting the crowds for the papal visit in January to surpass the six-million mark recorded nearly 20 years ago.
 
Paynor said they're looking at four to six people per square meter at Luneta Park and streets leading to it at the concluding mass that will be held on January 18, an estimate that they are considering as they continue to lay out their logistic preparations.
 
Govt 'seriously considering' holiday
 
Paynor also disclosed that the government is "seriously considering" declaring holidays on the working days that will be affected by Pope Francis' visit, particularly in Metro Manila.
 
"In due time, we'll announce [if it'll happen], if only to allow people to join the activities, [and to help in managing] traffic. It's under very serious, close study," He said.
 
Most of the Pope's activities will be within Metro Manila. However, he is scheduled to spend most of January 17 in Palo and Tacloban City in Leyte to visit survivors of super typhoon Yolanda. 
 
Accommodation, 'Popemobile'
 
Meanwhile, officials said they will defer from disclosing information regarding the vehicle that the Pope will be using, as well as where he'll be staying, for "security reasons."
 
Usec. Jess Yu of the Presidential Communications Operations Office assured that on occasions, Pope Francis "will definitely be visible" in the vehicle.
 
"There will be times that the Pope will be using a closed vehicle," he said. "We're in consultation with the Vatican about this, since it's also about the Pope's security."
 
For their part, church representatives said they'll be keeping the location of the Pope's accommodations here in the meantime. Radio Veritas president Fr. Anton Pascual joked, "Siguradong may matutulugan si Pope."
 
Security pool
 
Officials said security during the visit is spearheaded by Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, along with the Department of National Defense.
 
Paynor said the Presidential Security Group will be helping out in ensuring the Pope's physical security since he is also a head of state.
 
Pope Francis' Swiss guards will also be there to fulfill their task "to protect the Pope at all times," he added.
 

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