MMDA ready for INC centennial celebration

MANILA, Philippines - The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) expressed its readiness to handle this year’s commemoration of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) Centennial Year on July 27.

MMDA Chair Francis Tolentino, who was earlier designated by President Aquino as head of “Task Force Centenario” to oversee the INC event has assured that security and traffic management preparations are now underway.

Along with Tolentino, the task force includes Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas III, Health Secretary Enrique Ona, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Presidential Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma, Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson, Philippine National Police (PNP) Police Director General Alan Purisima, as well as the head or a representative of the Land Transportation, Franchising and Regulatory Board, Philippine Ports Authority, Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Toll Regulatory Board and the INC.

"We have already met twice in order to ensure that the celebration of the INC is in order," said Tolentino.

Tolentino said at least 3 million of the INC’s members from around the world are expected to attend the event to be held at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.

The Philippine Arena, according to Wikipedia, is a multi-purpose indoor arena located at Ciudad de Victoria, a 75-hectare tourism enterprise zone in Bocaue and Santa Maria towns in Bulacan. Touted as the “largest domed theater on the planet” the INC-owned Philippine Arena has a capacity of 55,000.

According to Tolentino, the MMDA will conduct ocular inspections to adjust the traffic flow around the venue area.

Tolentino said the MMDA will be deploying at least 1,800 traffic enforcers and traffic  aides to help man traffic flow in the roads leading to and around the venue. 

“Baka abutin kami ng 1,800 na Metro Manila Public Safety Legion na mag-assist sa trapiko. Ilalatag ko ito sa mga darating na araw. May pwersa rin sa Metro Manila na mag-aasisst kasi bungad na ito ng Metro Manila, malapit sa may Balintawak,” he said.

Tolentino added that the MMDA would also be doing ocular inspections in the Bulacan towns of Pandi, Meycauayan and Marilao which are near the venue of the INC event.