Lifted from http://www.rappler.com/specials/pope-francis-ph/80425-leyte-volunteers-orientation-tacloban-palo

Derek Alviola | Published 5:54 PM, Jan 11, 2015, Updated 5:54 PM, Jan 11, 2015

 

Volunteers attend the orientation for one of the biggest religious events to be held in Eastern Visayas

VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION. Thousands of volunteers signed up to the different working groups for the Papal visit in Leyte. All photos by Derek Aviola

TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines – Volunteers who will be mobilized during Pope Francis’ visit in Tacloban and Palo gathered at the Leyte Grandstand on Sunday, January 11, for a general orientation prior to the big event.

Fr. Kim Margallo, the overall head of the volunteer management communications committee, expressed his gratitude to the volunteers – numbering around 2,000 – who took the initiative of serving Pope Francis and the millions of pilgrims who are expected to take part in the event on Saturday, January 17.

“Thank you for willingly taking part in making history because this is the biggest religious event to be held in the history of Archdiocese of Palo and Eastern Visayas in general,” Fr. Margallo said.

He encouraged the volunteers to live “mercy and compassion” by being an ISKO – someone who possesses Initiative, Service, Kindness and Obedience.

Different tasks

The 2,000 volunteers will be divided into the following working groups:

  • Physical Arrangement
  • Papal Mass
  • Liturgy
  • Welcoming
  • Security
  • Media
  • Accomodation
  • Food

A site map for the Holy Mass, which will be held at the Tacloban Airport, was also released.

SITE MAP. Attendees of the Papal mass are expected to come from different dioceses in Region 8.

An estimated crowd of 107,974 will be accommodated in the site of the Holy Mass. At least 2,600 are seated while the remaining 104,374 will have to stand.

Participants are expected to come from the different parishes of Tacloban, Palo, Carigara, Abuyog, Burauen, Ormoc, Palompon, and other vicariates of Region 8.

However, Laurence Ayo of the accommodation subcommittee revealed that the number of Holy Mass attendees is expected to swell further, and they are prepared to accommodate as much as 120,000 overnight pilgrims coming from the different dioceses.

“We already prepared 48 schools where we are going to billet our pilgrims, 31 of which are located in Tacloban, while 17 are based in Palo,” Ayo assured. “Aside from that, there are also 17 parishes within Taloban and Palo areas that will be opened to accommodate other pilgrims.”

The pilgrims will be transferred from their assigned accommodation areas to the Tacloban Airport starting Friday evening, January 16. – With reports from Teodoro Perez, Rappler Mover / Rappler.com

Derek Alviola is a MovePH citizen journalist from Leyte covering the visit of Pope Francis to the province.