Papal visit to Tacloban to cost roughly P97-M in gov’t funds

Pope Francis greets the pilgrims during his weekly general audience in St Peter’s square at the Vatican on December 04, 2013. Giulio Napolitano / Shutterstock

MANILA, Philippines– The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has revealed that the price tag on Pope Francis’ six-hour visit to Tacloban City and Palo town in Leyte is set at approximately P97-million in government funds.

The DPWH office in Tacloban said that the biggest chunk, totaling P61.56 million, of the expenses will go towards the rehabilitation of the Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport terminal building, its parking facility and access roads.

According to the agency, the projects to be completed before the Papal Visit include;

• Resurfacing of airport grounds (P31.47 million)

• Construction of barricades (P7.95 million)

• Construction of a stage and orchestra area, plus cost of lights and sounds set-up (P5.5 million)

• GI pipes for crowd barriers (P5.35 million)

• Fuel consumption (P455,000)

• Guardrails for the enclosure at the venue of the Papal Mass (P176,000)

• Tents to serve as sacristies (P137,000)

Pope Francis is scheduled to visit Palo and Tacloban on January 17, 2015, as part of the itinerary of his Philippine trip from January 15-19.