8,000 delegates register for IEC

CEBU, Philippines - Close to 8,000 delegates have registered to participate in the 51st International Eucharistic Congress to be held in Cebu City early next year.

Auxiliary Bishop Dennis Villarojo, IEC Secretary General, said those who registered for the event scheduled for January 24 to 31, 2016 included 1,000 foreigners.

“Dul-an sa otso mil na ka mga delegado alang sa 51st International Eucharistic Congress ang nakaparehistro nga ipahigayon dinhi sa dakbayan sa Sugbo,” Villarojo said.

Villarojo said the preparations are on track with 6,005 delegates having paid fully the registration.

“Daghan na sa mga delegado ang hingpit nang nakabayad ug dunay uban naka register ang wala pa makakompleto sa ilang balayronon.” Wala ko mabalaka tungod kay hapit naman moabot sa katunga sa among target ang nagparehistro ug kadaghanan niini anha na magparehistro duha ka bulan sa dili pa ang kalihukan,” Villarojo said.

Villarojo said that all the people from Cebu or anywhere can join the IEC activities.

“Tanan mga Sugbuanon o bisan kinsa ang mahimo nga makatambong sa kalihukan sa IEC sama sa misa, procession, visita iglesia, gawas lamang sa conference kay kinahanglan man gayud nga magparehistro tungod kay adto kini buhaton sa Pavilion,” he explained.

He said the registration fee for the IEC is P8,000 for the weeklong event and P4,000 for those who will only join for four days.

Villarojo said the construction of the IEC Pavilion is now 95-percent complete.

“On track usab ta sa pagtrabo sa Pavilion tungod kay naa na sa 95-percent ang pagtrabaho niini ug lakip sa gitrabaho karon ang Drainage Site Development Plan sa lugar diin i- turnover kini sa Archdiocese of Cebu sa higayon nga moabot si Archbishop Jose Palma gikan sa Roma,” Villarojo said.

On Friday, a Eucharistic celebration will be held at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral at 5 p.m. to mark the 100-day countdown for the international event. Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal will celebrate the Mass. — (FREEMAN)