Thousands gather for INC Bible expo

Traffic was heavy all over Cebu City last night as the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) held its “grand Bible exposition,” a nationwide simultaneous activity that the group held to “spread the word of God.”

Led by INC Executive Minister Brother Eduardo Manalo, thousands of INC members gathered at the Fuente Osmeña Rotunda, which the Cebu City Hall refused to close for reasons not known to the INC.

The police estimate the crowd to be around 20,000 although the INC said there were more.

“Iglesia ni Cristo was underestimated though we are already many. We just want to do our thing too. This is for God,” said Ferdie Enriquez, one of the coordinators for the event.

He said they have done similar activities in the past and this is the first time that roads around Fuente Osmeña were not closed. He added that it was only here in Cebu City that the arrangement they requested for was not approved. He assured they did their best in avoiding hassles for the public.

The activity was attended by guests from other provinces in Central Visayas. Enriquez said the huge “overwhelming” crowd that came to attend the event was unexpected. They had estimated the participants to reach only five thousand but a lot more came.

He said they prepared 20,000 chairs inside the Fuente Osmeña Circle which was easily filled by INC members who sacrificed a day of work for their faith.

City Traffic Operations Management (CITOM) chairman Sylvan “Jack” Jakosalem said they were caught off guard by the crowd despite their preparations.

He said they designated parking areas a few meters from the Fuente Osmeña to try to lessen traffic congestion around the area. This was in response to the request of some delegates who come from outside Cebu and are not familiar with the city.

Jakosalem approved the request allowing vehicles leased by delegates to park around the rotunda, causing traffic jams across the city.

Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board 7 Director Ahmed Cuizon said they gave special permits to 50 buses and 153 public utility jeepneys.

Cuizon, who proposed early yesterday for the cancellation of classes, said that traffic congestion was unavoidable.

INC organizers commended Jakosalem and Cuizon for their “professionalism” in helping with their preparations. – /JPM

REYNAN VILLENA A huge Iglesia ni Cristo crowd fills Fuente Osmeña during the group’s Grand Bible Exposition in key cities nationwide. The yellow Ceres buses and other vehicles ringing the circle were used to ferry the participants. Photo was taken from the 40th floor...