5 Catholic schools declare no classes during IEC week
A procession from the Cebu Capitol to Plaza Independencia is one of the major activities during the International Eucharistic Congress and is expected to cause heavy traffic along Osmena Blvd, where several private and public schools are situated.
DepEd: Classes to be suspended in selected public schools
Classes will be suspended during the 51st International Eucharistic Congress (IEC) in at least five Catholic schools as well as in selected public schools.
With the voluntary suspension of classes, there may be no need to declare a special no-work, no-class holiday from January 24 to 31.
Cebu Auxiliary Bishop Dennis Villarojo identified the schools that opted to suspend classes during the week-long congress as the University of San Jose-Recoletos, University of San Carlos, St. Theresa’s College, Colegio de la Inmaculada Concepción and the Don Bosco Technology Center.
Margarita Matheu of the Archdiocese of Cebu’s secretariat, said other private schools—the University of Cebu, University of the Visayas, and Southwestern University—earlier expressed willingness to suspend classes during the IEC.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Among the public schools, the Department of Education (DepEd) said the central office has green lighted the suspension of classes in schools that will be affected by congress activities.
DepEd regional director Dr. Juliet Jeruta said the local government units (LGUs) have yet to identify these schools.
So far, she said Lapu-Lapu City has asked that classes be suspended for two days while both Mandaue and Cebu cities asked for no classes for five days.
She reminded educators that those who suspend classes will have to hold make-up classes before the end of the school year in March. There are 201 class days for school year 2015-2016.
“We can’t cancel all classes in all schools because, (for) example, yung iba na nasa mountain barangays, hindi naman sila (those in the mountain barangays are not) affected by the activities,” Jeruta told Cebu Daily News.
NOT THE BEST OPTION
Philip N. Tan, past president of the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), said a holiday may not be the best option because IEC activities will affect only certain parts of Metro Cebu.
He described a holiday for the entire week as a “shotgun approach” that is easier said than done.
“If you have a special holiday, no work and no pay. What will they (employees) get? What will happen to our workers? Wa silay makaon ana (They won’t have anything to eat),” he said.
Tan said the success of holding the IEC would depend on the cooperation between government and the private sector.
“You cannot win both sides, but you have to find a happy balance. The organizers should take into account not only the delegates we will be hosting, but also the workers and general public,” he added.
Cebu Business Club president Gordon Alan Joseph, on the other hand, said a holiday may be necessary to avoid traffic congestion.
“Given the serious and irritating traffic issues that we face today and the very apparent difficulties we have in managing traffic on normal days, I think there is no choice but to declare a holiday during the IEC,” he said.
Traffic is expected to be heavy during some of the major IEC activities.
MAJOR EVENTS
Among these is the opening Mass to be presided by His Eminence Charles Maung Cardinal Bo at the Plaza Independencia at 4 p.m. on January 24.
On January 28, the Youth Day will be held and there will be a procession from the Hoops Dome in Lapu-Lapu City to Mandani Bay in Mandaue City.
The next day, January 29, there will be a procession from Cebu Capitol to Plaza Independencia in the afternoon. This will affect Osmeña Blvd. as both private and public schools are located along this road and side roads.
On January 30, there will be a Mass and first communion of 5,000 kids at the Cebu City Sports Center.
The closing Mass will be held at the South Road Properties on January 31.
GRATEFUL
Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma was thankful that some schools have voluntarily suspended classes.
“Salamat sa Dios. Kining mga butanga naay level sa desisyon nga mabuhat sa executive (Thank God. These are decisions that may be made by executives),” he told reporters after the New Year’s Eve Mass.
About 15,000 delegates from different parts of the world are expected to converge in Cebu to attend the IEC.
Most of the activities will be held at the IEC Pavilion along Pope John Paul II Ave., which will be closed to all vehicles except for the buses that will transport the participants.
During his homily, Palma asked the public for understanding and patience during the IEC.
The IEC takes place every four years to promote an awareness of the central place of the Eucharist in the life and mission of the Catholic Church, to draw attention to the social dimension of the sacrament, and to help improve understanding about the liturgy.
As of yesterday, Matheu said some 10,000 delegates, including about 3,000 foreigners, have registered for the IEC.
“So far, the largest delegation is from Taiwan, followed by Canada, and the U.S.,” she said.
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