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GENERAL INFORMATION
ABOUT ECY-PHILIPPINES
THE DELEGATION OF THE CBCP-EPISCOPAL
COMMISSION ON YOUTH
TO THE WORLD YOUTH DAY 2016
This ECY-Philippines General Information presents an overview of the plan of the Episcopal
Commission on Youth (ECY) for its official delegation, the ECY-Philippines, to the World Youth Day
(WYD) 2016. The ECY shares this information with the youth ministry offices within its network of
ecclesiastical territories and youth organizations, and makes it available for other interested groups
and individuals via the ECY website, as an invitation for them to be part of the WYD2016 via the
ECY-Philippines.
As it did for its delegation to past WYD’s, the ECY shall negotiate for the same arrangements with
the WYD2016 Organizers and implement similar strategies.
Further comprehensive and specific information are contained in the ECY-Philippines Primer which
the ECY reserves to share only with those who will sign up with the ECY and join its delegation, the
ECY-Philippines.
After reading fully and carefully the information shared here, and a decision is reached to form a
group to the WYD2016 by joining the ECY-Philippines, then the REPLY SLIP has to be filled up and
submitted to the ECY by 2015 May 11.
THE ECY-PHILIPPINES
The ECY-Philippines is the official delegation of the Episcopal Commission on Youth of the Catholic
Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines to the World Youth Day. It is open to young people from the
ecclesiastical territories and member-organizations of the Federation of National Youth
Organizations (FNYO). It also welcomes young people from other established youth organizations,
educational institutions and other communities/ settings.
ECY-PHILIPPINES WYD ARRANGEMENTS
The ECY-Philippines registers with the WYD Organizers as a single delegation, accompanied by ECY
Bishops and under the leadership of the ECY Executive Secretary.
The ECY arranges for simple WYD accommodations (i.e. schools, foster families, parishes, etc.), and
for full provision of meals and transportation during the event, as offered by the host-country.
The delegation follows one itinerary—from the pre-WYD activity Days in the Diocese in a diocese of
the host-country as selected by the ECY, to the WYD itself. As a general rule, no other pre-WYD
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trips are allowed; however, some exception may be made when the trip is to a WYD-related event
specific to a certain group. Cases such as this will be subject to an agreement that the group must
enter into with the ECY.
After the WYD, other itineraries may be undertaken, with groups and individuals arranging these for
themselves.
WHY JOIN ECY-PHILIPPINES
The WYD Organizers recognize the ECY-Philippines, since it is the delegation of the Episcopal
Commission on Youth of the CBCP, as the official country delegation of the Bishops’ Conference.
As a mandated body that mobilizes Filipino youth to participate in international youth gatherings
such as the WYD, the ECY has direct coordination with the Pontifical Council for the Laity – Youth
Section of the Vatican, with the WYD Organizers, with the consulate or embassy of the host-country,
and with other official entities.
Also, the ECY-Philippines assists in some official WYD functions, i.e. facilitating WYD Catechesis and
participating in the WYD main programs, where its pilgrims, youth and youth ministers alike, get to
share.
Finally, the ECY implements a holistic WYD program for its delegation that includes preparatory and
re-entry sessions, as well as a participatory process where the Leaders and Assistant Leaders of the
groups are involved. Since the ECY-Philippines is the delegation of the Episcopal Commission on
Youth, then the pastoral leadership of the Bishops is present throughout the pilgrimage, assuring it
to be a truly apostolic and ecclesial experience. To accompany the ECY-Philippines pilgrims
throughout their WYD experience together with and in behalf of the ECY, including pastoral and
practical assistance, the ECY commissions a Delegation Secretariat (DS) composed of competent and
committed youth ministers.
APPLICATION: PRELIMINARY INFORMATION
Application to be part of the ECY-Philippines includes having applicants accomplish the application
form and submit requirements such as personal documents and endorsement letters from their
respective origins. Each application undergoes screening.
Accepted applicants—now referred to as pilgrims—will be registered to the WYD2016. This
includes the payment of financial requirements for the WYD2016, including an administrative fee to
cover expenses relative to the various tasks involved in organizing the delegation.
The ECY-Philippines, through an in-house Travel Coordinator, collaborates with only one travel
agency for the travel arrangements of the pilgrims.
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This application and registration process is managed by the Delegation Secretariat (DS), which is
committed to provide assistance to all the applicants and pilgrims through their Group Leaders and
Assistant Leaders in ways possible. Since the WYD2016 will be in Poland where visa is required for
Philippine passport holders, then assistance in the visa application is included.
As a measure to protect the visa from misuse, the DS shall safekeep passports with visas issued for
the WYD2016, and will release them only during the Delegation Preparatory Session to be held
immediately before departure for the WYD2016.
Complete information will be supplied to groups which have enrolled and are accepted into the ECYPhilippines.
FORMING A GROUP TO REGISTER WITH ECY-PHILIPPINES
CRITERIA FOR A GROUP
The following are the basic requirements for a group to be formed:
 Under the leadership of a Group Leader
 Comes from an established setting or origin (see sub-section “Origin” below) in the Philippines
 Endorsed by an authority from the same setting or origin who will be designated as the group’s
WYD Endorser
 Composed of individuals who legitimately belong to the same setting or origin from which the
group comes
 Has a minimum of 5 and maximum of 50 members (including the Leader), of which 50% (at
least) must be youth pilgrims
 All of whose members shall follow only one WYD itinerary and will have no pre-WYD itinerary
other than the Days in the Diocese as arranged by the ECY
 All of whose members shall follow the same travel arrangements and schedule of arrival in the
Host-Country
ORIGIN
All the persons in a group should come from a single youth ministry setting or origin, which may be:
1. an ecclesiastical territory (archdiocese/ diocese/ prelature/ apostolic vicariate)
2. a recognized youth organization (see note below)
3. a youth group promoted by a religious congregation/ community
4. an educational institution
Note: A youth organization is recognized based on the merit of their length of existence, integrity, and
nature/ scope of work among the youth, among others. The ECY recognizes all youth organizations which
belong to the Federation of National Youth Organizations (FNYO).
ENDORSEMENT
From the youth ministry setting/ origin of a group, a person of utmost authority shall be designated
as the Final Endorser for the group. He/She endorses the group by affixing his/her signature on the
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appropriated space in the Group Registration Form to signify his/her approval of the creation of a
WYD group which will join ECY-Philippines from the origin where he/she is of final authority.
Given the origin of the group, the Final Endorser would then be:
1. If ecclesiastical territory (archdiocese/ diocese/ prelature/ apostolic vicariate): The Local
Ordinary/ Bishop
2. If a recognized youth organization: The President (or Chaplain/ Director, if it has)
3. If a youth group promoted by a religious congregation/ community: The Major Superior/
Provincial
4. If an educational institution: the President/ Director
GROUP LEADER AND ASSISTANT LEADER
In order to facilitate the organization, management and accompaniment of the group, a Group
Leader must be assigned. He/She should have an Assistant Leader. Both should meet the following
criteria:
 Comes from the same origin as the rest of the group that he/she will lead
 Takes the lead in the creation of a group from his/her origin and in gaining the endorsement of
the proper authority (Final Endorser), e.g. Local Ordinary, President, etc.
 Has attended a past WYD, or is familiar with the WYD celebration (preferred)
 Between 25-50 years of age
Aside from the above, they should commit to attend orientations, registration and meetings that
the ECY shall hold for its delegation.
Other pertinent responsibilities are listed at the back of the Group Registration Form. Group
Leaders and Assistant Leaders should thoroughly read and understand them by heart before
committing to the role and responsibilities as heads of their respective groups.
ECY-PHILIPPINES GROUP ORIENTATION
Those who have submitted their Group Registration Forms will be required to attend the ECYPhilippines Group Orientation prior to acceptance into the ECY-Philippines. This gathering will be
held on August 15 (Saturday) in Intramuros, Manila (specific venue to be announced later).
The Group Orientation is a venue for the ECY to share basic information about the ECY and the
WYD. It aims to establish linkage between the ECY Delegation Secretariat and the Group Leaders
and Assistant Leaders. At the end of this meeting, it is hoped that the ECY-Philippines Delegation
Secretariat and the Group Leaders and Assistant Leaders will be able to chart clearer and more
concrete strategies in preparing for and participating in the event collaboratively
Copies of the ECY-Philippines Primer and the Individual Application Form will be distributed to the
Group Leaders and Assistant Leaders during this activity.
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REPLY SLIP
As indicated in the “Introduction”, an origin which is interested to form and send a group of pilgrims
to the WYD2016 through ECY-Philippines should accomplish the REPLY SLIP. After the ECY
acknowledges the REPLY SLIP, it sends the GROUP REGISTRATION FORM which has to be filled-up
and sent back to the ECY.
If an origin is unable to form a group because there are less than 5 persons who wish to be part of
ECY-Philippines, then the Final Endorser of the origin is kindly asked to accomplish and send back to
us the REPLY SLIP nevertheless. The ECY will provide an additional set of guidelines for situations
like this.
Selected Highlights of the WYD2016 Timeline for ECY-Philippines
The following are selected highlights of the timeline for ECY-Philippines this WYD2016:
2015
May 11
Jul 27
Aug 15
Aug 17-Sep 28
Aug 17-Dec 11
2016
Jan 04-Apr 15
Apr 15-Jun 30
Jul 15-16
Jul 17-18
Jul 19-24
Jul 25-31
Aug 01
Deadline for the Reply Slip
Deadline for the Group Registration Form
Group Orientation
Individual Application
Screening (Document, Personal and Off-site); Release of Application Results
Seat Reservation; Submission of Booking Fees
Submission of Visa Application Documents
Submission of WYD2016 Financial Requirements
Visa Application
Delegation Preparatory Meeting (overnight, stay-in)
Departure Flights for Poland
DAYS IN THE DIOCESE
WORLD YOUTH DAY 2016
Morning: Delegation Re-Entry Session (including Evaluation and Thanksgiving)
Beginning 3:00 PM: Departures from the Re-Entry Session Venue; Return Flights
to the Philippines
IMPORTANT: Contents subject to change without prior notice. Updates and changes will be
published in the ECY website, www.cbcp-ecy.ph, and shared on the ECY Facebook page,
www.facebook.com/CBCPECY.
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