Villarojo: IEC preps on schedule

CEBU, Philippines – We are on track.

This was how Cebu Auxiliary Bishop Dennis Villarojo, 51st International Eucharistic Congress secretary General, described the preparation being undertaken barely a month before the big day.

Villarojo is happy now that Malacañang has issued a memorandum circular that designated several government agencies to help the IEC organizing committee.

Senior Superintendent Rey Lyndon Lawas, Police Regional Office-7 Directorial Staff chief, said that the two major events that would take place in Cebu next year has caught the attention of the Office of the President.

Aside from that, the IEC organizing committee, through Archbishop Jose S. Palma of the Archdiocese of Cebu, wrote the Office of the President asking for support.

Lawas said Malacañang responded by issuing a memorandum circular creating an “ad hoc Task Group Cebu, which will oversee the activities that will be spearheaded by the PRO-7 Director, Chief Superintendent Manuel Gaerlan.”

“Along with that, it calls for the participation of the different government agencies,” he said.

Health Emergency Management Staff (HEMS) Chief Expedito Medalle said in a separate interview at the PRO-7 yesterday that the health department will help using the template they observed during the recent Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit.

He said hospitals are all on alert since Monday until the end of the IEC to cope with the demand and that hospital heads will be called to a meeting for adjustments to be done.

“Mao man ang pamaagi gihapon ang pag-handle sa APEC, atong giasikaso sa katawhan ang tubig, naa tay health advisories, naa tay lainlaing ahensya sa pribado ug gobiyerno nga health responders,” Medalle said.

Food that will be served during the IEC would be checked by the health department and food tasters and sanitary inspectors from Cebu Province would be deployed.

Aside from government agencies, private institutions, like the Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation Inc. and other volunteer organizations also pledged their support.

At least 8,000 registered delegates are expected to arrive next year and the police are expecting at least 1 million people in Cebu during the Sinulog and the IEC.

Because of this, security preparations would be strengthened throughout the cities of Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue and Cebu.— /RHM (FREEMAN)