Organizers urge public attending Pope Francis activities in Leyte to bring own food, water

Pope Francis’ visit in Israel comes to an end as the pope departs from Ben Gurion Intl. airport. Photo courtesy of Israel’s Foreign Ministry – Digital Diplomacy Team / Twitter

MANILA — Organizers of the Papal Visit 2015 urged the public, particularly those who would want to attend the scheduled activities in Leyte early next year, to be self-sufficient by bringing food and water with them.

Msgr. Marvin Mejia, Secretary General of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said they would like people to prepare for their own welfare as they expected thousands of people both from the area and nearby provinces to attend the events in Tacloban and Palo.

“The church and the government members of the organizing committee and the steering committee are coordinating as early as now, especially in Tacloban, Palo events, that the people would be coming in from different islands and provinces, they should be self sustaining meaning they should bring their own food, drinks,” he said.

“It is important for the people going there because of the crowd, because of situation in Palo, no food and rehabilitation yet, so most probably there would not be enough food and restaurant. Bring your own food and water,” he said.

Pope Francis will be in Tacloban on Jan. 17, 2015, day 2 of his four-day Apostolic and State Visit in the Philippines.

Among his activities for that day include a Mass to be held near the Tacloban Airport, his lunch with the poor and survivors of calamities, blessing of the Pope Francis Center for the Poor and meeting with priests and religious women and men at Cathedral of Our Lord’s Transfiguration, all in Palo, Leyte.

With this, the CBCP official appealed to the people who have medical conditions or those who cannot bear big crowds to just stay home and watch the events on television.

“It would be challenging for the logistics and the Department of Health. Also if you have some health issues, better stay at home that is precisely there is the media coverage,” Mejia said.

Pope Francis will be in the country from Jan. 15 to 19, 2015.