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PNoy declares July 27 non-working holiday in honor of Iglesia ni Cristo centennial


President Benigno Aquino III has approved Joint Resolution No. 2 declaring July 27 as a special non-working holiday to commemorate the 100th founding anniversary of Iglesia ni Cristo.

In an interview on radio dzRB, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said Aquino signed last Friday the resolution, which was  approved by both Houses of Congress.

Earlier this month, the President issued Proclamation No. 815 declaring 2014 as the Iglesia ni Cristo Centennial Year.

He said the proclamation was issued to "enhance public awareness" on the contributions of the INC to national development.

The INC is the largest homegrown Christian church in the Philippines, with ministries in at least 102 countries.

On July 27, at least two million believers of the religious group are expected to converge at the newly-built Philippine Arena in Ciudad de Victoria, Bocaue, Bulacan for the INC’s centennial celebration.

The Philippine Arena, said to be the world’s largest domed indoor arena, will be inaugurated on Monday.

Metro Manila Council resolution

According to a “Balitanghali” report on Sunday, the Metro Manila Development Authority has designated nine parking areas within the vicinity of Ciudad de Victoria to accommodate the thousands of buses and private vehicles that are expected to ferry the attendees to the INC’s centennial festivities.

The location of these parking areas and the comprehensive plan for the event will be announced at the Quirino Grandstand on Wednesday.

MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said the Metro Manila Council had passed a resolution authorizing each of the 17 local government units in the National Capital Region to send three to five police cars, two ambulances with crew members, one fire truck and two dump trucks to the Philippine Arena next Sunday to assist in peacekeeping efforts and attend to any emergency.

The resolution also requires each LGU to deploy at least 50 traffic enforcers or barangay tanods to the area.

Tolentino asked motorists who are not members of the INC to avoid traveling on North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) starting July 26 until 28 as traffic is expected to be heavy leading to Bocaue because of the influx of INC members from several parts of the country.

He also encouraged truckers to defer from conducting their delivery services on these dates in order not to worsen the traffic situation. — Xianne Arcangel /LBG, GMA News

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