Archbishop Soc asks BSL: “Where is God in this government?”
CITY HALL VIOLATES ORDINANCE
LINGAYEN-DAGUPAN Archbishop Socrates Villegas is upset with the administration of Dagupan Mayor Benjamin Lim. Reason? At presstime, March 27, commercial stalls are being set up outside the St. John the Evangelist Metropolitan Cathedral for the Bangus Festival with the authority of the mayor’s office.
“Where is respect, where is God in this government?” read Villegas’ text message to newsmen.
_________________________________________________________
UPDATE March 29 Friday, 5pm: The stalls on Jovellanos St.
have been completely removed after the mayor had been
advised of the archbishop’s angry reaction to the illegal
construction of the stalls.
__________________________________________________________
Villegas appealed to Lim to respect the church compound and the observance of Holy Week.
The Baratillo stalls are being built on Jovellanos Street in violation of city’s Ordnance No. 1950-2010 prohibiting the holding of a baratillo of any kind on Jovellanos Street.
The ordinance was passed to prevent commercial activities beside the cathedral compound to preserve the solemnity of church services.
Vice Mayor Fernandez, reacting to the appeal of the archbishop said, “As we reflect on our faith this Holy Week, let us call to mind the example of Jesus Christ who taught us that it is inappropriate to turn places of worship into busy areas of trade and commerce.”
“The city officials who condone this practice or worse profit from it, are not only violating the law but are demonstrating great disrespect for the Church,” Fernandez added.
The reaction of the mayor’s office was sought but no official statement reached the PUNCH at presstime.
BARATILLO
According to vendors that participated in last year’s Baratillo, the city hall collected as much as P30,000 rental during the Bangus Festival.
To date, however, the mayor’s office has not officially reported revenues collected from stall rentals and sponsorship fees for the past two Bangus Festivals.
Share your Comments or Reactions
Powered by Facebook Comments
