The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) will send the group's excess budget for the papal visit to Pope Francis to help fund his various charity projects, its president Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas said on Friday.

"Whatever excess money we will have for the papal visit, it will all be given to Pope Francis for his charity projects worldwide. Nothing will be left in the Philippines," CBCP head and Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas said at the CBCP's 110th plenary assembly.

Villegas said that Pope Francis did not ask for it. Rather, it was the decision of the Filipino bishops to help the 78-year-old pontiff with his charity work.

 

"Let's be clear, he didn't ask for it. It was our decision in the Philippines to help the Holy Father in our own small way," he said. 

 

He also said that the organizers are still computing the papal visit's bills. 

 

"Until now, we are still paying our bills so we have not yet closed the financial account," Villegas said. 

 

Villegas said biggest expense for the five-day event was set aside for the sound system and the LED screens for the concluding Mass at the Quirino Grandstand and for the Meeting of the Youth at the University of Sto. Tomas. 

 

Malacañang previously said the government spent responsibly during Pope Francis' five-day pastoral visit in the Philippines from January 15-19. —NB, GMA News