The Palace has cited the people’s cooperation
with authorities as a major factor in the success of the five-day visit of Pope
Francis to the Philippines.
"Sa amin, ang biggest factor
for the success (of the papal visit) was the people themselves, kasi
kinusa nila na maging maayos, maging matagumpay," Communication
Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said.
"All the efforts of the government would
have been for naught kung hindi nakiisa ang bawat Pilipino at kung
hindi naging maayos ang pagdalo sa misa," he said.
Secretary Coloma, along with a number of
Cabinet secretaries and Catholic bishops, joined President Benigno S. Aquino
III during the send-off ceremony for Pope Francis.
Pope Francis left for Rome at about 10:12 a.m.
on Monday, capping his hectic five-day visit to Asia’s largest Catholic
country.
"We would like to thank our people for
their full cooperation. Ang panawagan po natin sa kanila: Makiisa,
makisama, makipagbayanihan," he said, adding that they strictly
followed the guidelines set by the authorities.
Coloma also commended the men and women in
uniform who worked hard, even in bad weather, to maintain order and ensure the
pope's safety.
"Saludo po kami sa inyo at maraming
salamat po. Sa lahat po ng pagkakataon, kapansin-pansin ang dedikasyon, sipag,
pagiging masigasig, at mapagpasensiya ng ating mga sundalo at pulis," he
said.
Despite the gargantuan task, soldiers and
policemen did their job well because deep in their hearts, they were not merely
performing their duties but they were also experiencing a moment of faith, he
said.
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