NYD participants get clearer picture of Davao City
by Prix D Banzon
Davao City (14 November) -- Participating youths to the National Youth Day (NYD) coming from the different parts of the country will now have a clearer picture of what really is Davao City.
City administrator Atty Wendel Avisado told the Philippine Information Agency that the impact of holding the NYD in Davao City is allowing those coming from outside Mindanao get the real situation regarding the city's peace and order situation and other related concerns.
He said the youth could now speak of their experiences even as he said he got good feedback and impression of the city from the participants themselves.
Avisado said holding another NYD is an honor and they will not hesitate to host if given the opportunity as he rated last week's gathering to be very successful.
Archbishop Capalla who led the concelebrated and thanksgiving mass of the third founding anniversary of Lourdes Parish in Bangkal acknowledged with gratitude the youth and everyone involved in the holding of the NYD 2006 in Davao.
He however reminded the delegates and the parishioners to renew relationship and not forgetting to be grateful as he also stressed that people should not forget the giver of gifts because this is the only way to know deeper why such gift is given to the person.
He also said that people should improve on relationship rather than focus on developing the public image through material things.
"This is not what Christ want us to do but focus on self improvement as well as develop the virtue of charity," he said.
Capalla joined the celebration of the parish and led the signing of the usufruct agreement between the City Government of Davao and the Archdiocese of Davao where the latter is allowed under Presidential Decree 1216 the use of an open space to be use as place of worship.
He acknowledged the support given by the government through President Arroyo who he said gave personal instructions to manager Rico Laza of the National Housing Authority to facilitate the proposal.
On the same occasion Avisado said the Davao City Council issued Ordinance 0263-06 granting authority to Mayor Rodrigo Duterte to enter into an agreement on behalf of the city government with the Catholic Church of Davao.
The final agreement came after series of meetings, discussions and dialogues and research that led to the NHA giving nod to the proposal without cost.
The Lourdes Parish was given the go signal to use the 11,600 sq. meter lot as the site of the parochial church for 50 years and its renewal for another 50 years.
Archbishop Capalla also led the launching of "Piso Alay sa Puso" as additional fund raising campaign for the construction of the church that started last month in Cordillera Street at Central Park Subdivision. (PIA) [top]