Islets not covered by class suspension

CEBU, Philippines - The three-day suspension of classes in Lapu-Lapu City giving way for 51st International Eucharistic Congress activities will not cover schools in the island barangays, Mayor Paz Radaza clarified on Wednesday.

Radaza said this is because the schools in Olango Island and the islets of Caohagan, Caubian and Pangan-an will not be affected by IEC events.

Earlier, Lapu-Lapu City Schools Division Superintendent Marilyn Andales confirmed that public schools in the city will suspend classes on January 27-29 based on the memorandum they received from the Department of Education-7 last January 5.

Catholic and private schools in Lapu-Lapu City are set for an even longer break, a total of six days, from January 25-30.

According to DepEd-7, the suspension of classes is seen to help decongest traffic and allow students to participate in IEC activities.

DepEd, however, reminded schools to hold make-up classes to ensure that they conform to the required number of school days this year.

Meanwhile, Radaza reported that around 3,200 delegates, ages 20 and above, will arrive in the city for the IEC Youth Congress on January 27 and 28.

She said a few foreign delegates might possibly stay in hotels while local delegates will be accommodated in the city's five local parishes and get foster parents.

The delegates will be welcomed in a program to be hosted by each of the parish’s youth councils.

The welcome dinner on January 27, which will be fiesta-themed, will be shouldered by the city government. A women’s livelihood group will prepare the dishes for the delegates.

On January 28, the delegates will flock to the Hoopsdome in Barangay Gun-ob where they assemble for the Jericho Walk from Lapu-Lapu to Mandaue City.  (FREEMAN)