Lapu-Lapu taps brgys to host IEC visitors

CEBU, Philippines - Barangays in Lapu-Lapu City will play a vital role in the city’s hosting of the International Eucharistic Congress Youth Day on January 28.

This is because local parishes in the barangays will each play host to the delegates. Some of the parishioners will become the delegates’ foster parents.

Among the parishes that will accommodate the guests are the Virgen Dela Regla in Barangay Poblacion, Sacred Heart Parish in Barangay Marigondon, the Mother of Perpetual Help in Barangay Babag, the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Barangay Pajac, and the Sto. Niño Parish in Barangay Mactan. Each will host 1,000 delegates.

The youth delegates will start arriving in Lapu-Lapu City on January 27, although the Youth Day falls on the next day. Upon their arrival, they will be treated to a barrio fiesta-themed dinner by the respective parishes.

Mayor Paz Radaza said barangays will put festive decorations, as well as booths displaying their local products to the delegates.

“There is Sinulog before IEC so barangays will have that festive atmosphere for the delegates…There will be a touch of tourism,” Radaza said, adding that the setting will showcase Lapu-Lapu as a “Historic Resort City.”

Radaza said the delegates will be served with Filipino cuisine.

Radaza will meet with the stakeholders involved in IEC on January 11, and then with the city’s coordinators of the religious event.

Meanwhile, Jovita Augusto of Saint Dominic Savio School and president of Cebu Elementary Principals Association-7, said Catholic schools in the city will not hold classes on  January 25 to 30.

“The St. Joseph School of Mactan and Saint Alphonsus Catholic School, aside from the SDSS, will not hold classes to give way for the Eucharistic Congress,” she said.

Mae Agbay said around 82 non-sectarian schools will also suspend classes during the IEC event, including her school San Lorenzo Ruiz School.

With the suspension of classes in private and Catholic schools, Radaza said they may resort to holding classes on the weekends.  (FREEMAN)