Palace: Leyte roads, airport ready for Pope’s arrival

MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang on Sunday, December 21, assured that infrastructure and security preparations for the Pope’s visit, especially in Leyte, will be completed before he arrives in January.

“All the facilities that are needed to be prepared are being done for the arrival of His Holiness, Pope Francis, including infrastructure projects,” Palace Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. told state-run dzRB radio in an interview.

Preparations, Coloma said, include restoration of the Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport in Tacloban City which was severely damaged by Super Typhoon Yolanda in November 2013 and Typhoon Ruby (Hagupit) in December this year.

Infrastructure restoration in Leyte are ongoing, particulary the repair of the roads connecting Palo and the airport in Tacloban City, according to Coloma.

“The DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) is working into all of these with the highest priority,” he said in Filipino.

Pope Francis’ visit to the Philippines is the first papal visit since Pope John Paul II visited Manila in 1995.  

Obey traffic enforcers

Meanwhile, Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson urged the public to obey traffic enforcers during the Pope’s visit to ensure things are in order during his arrival in January.

Citing Singson, Coloma said “we need to show discipline in meeting the people.”

“Perhaps now, we should be accustomed in showing road discipline. This will be of big help in maintaining smooth flow of traffic in the event that the Pope arrives.” – Rappler.com