Church launches ‘piso’ fund raiser for 2016 IEC

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma (second from left) with tetired bishop Antonio Rañola (left) and Elvira Go (2nd from righ) take a walk at the Simenario Mayor de San Carlos football grounds where the Pavilion will be built for the 2016 International Eucharistic Congress. (CDN PHOTO/ JUNJIE MENDOZA)

The Catholic Church will launch a nationwide “piso-piso” fund raising campaign for the 2016 International Eucharistic Congress (IEC) to be held in Cebu City.

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma said the “Piso Para sa Misa ng Mundo” is an invitation to anyone to contribute in their own small way for the international gathering to be held on Jan. 24 to 31, 2016.

“We trust in the goodness of people. Even those who are poor can afford to give a peso as a love offering. But in whatever you give, please give with a smile,” the prelate said.

Msgr. Dennis Villarojo, the IEC secretary-general, said donation boxes will be brought to all churches and commercial establishments and schools throughout the country for people to drop their donations in.

The fund raising drive for the IEC will be monitored by Fr. Charles Jayme with the help of the bishops in the country.

Event of a lifetime

Elvira Go, the chairperson of the committee on promotions and publicity of the IEC, said the campaign wants to instill a sense of involvement and commitment in every Filipino for the event.

“By donating just one peso, they will be able to help. We don’t obligate them. They can just give if they feel they want to something for the Lord,” she said.

Palma appealed to the faithful to help the Church in ensuring the IEC’s success that may likely be attended by Pope Francis.

“The IEC in Cebu City is an event of a lifetime. It would take every continent 20 years to host an IEC. If Asia will host it again, it will no longer be in the Philippines,” he said.

Last Saturday, church officials and government leaders gathered for the groundbreaking of the Eucharistic Pavilion to be used for the plenary sessions, workshops, and seminars during the IEC.

Refurbishment

The Pavilion will have a huge conference hall, six function rooms, multiple exhibit rooms, and a theater.

It can accommodate 15,000 persons, the projected number of delegates expected from all over the world.

The structure to be built by Duros Land Properties Inc. with the help of Vios Architects, would cost more or less P380 million.

The amount includes the refurbishment and restructuring of the archdiocesan seminary.

The Pavilion, which is expected to be completed in October 2015, can be used by the archdiocese even after the IEC.

Board and lodging

Architect Ramon Vios said they are finalizing the design of the Pavilion.  He said there will be some trees in the area which need to be cut or transferred.

They are securing permit from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) so they can remove some trees standing at the 10,000 square meter area where the Pavilion will be built.

Aside from the expenses for the Pavilion, the Catholic Church in the country will also spend for the board and lodging of speakers and interpreters during the IEC.

The church will also need to refurbish the templete or little temple at the South Road Properties in Cebu City where the statio orbis or culminating Mass will be held.

The templete, located on a 27-hectare portion of the SRP, was where the national thanksgiving Mass for the canonization of St. Pedro Calungsod was held last Oct. 30, 2012.

Fr. Brian Brigoli, chairperson of the IEC committee on venue, said they need to put up additional structures for the big event in 2016.
Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama vowed to help in the preparations for the IEC.

He said he will request anyone who is interested to buy the lot where the templete stands not to touch the area until the IEC is over.