ABOUT a year after it was launched in parishes and Catholic schools, the nationwide “piso-piso” fund-raising campaign for the 51st International Eucharistic Congress (IEC) has generated P18 million.
The Church needs P6 million more to reach its target P24 million under the “Piso Para sa Misa ng Mundo” campaign for the congress, which will be held in Cebu City from Jan. 24 to 31, 2016.
Over half of the P18 million raised so far came from donations in the Visayas and Mindanao, said Msgr. Joseph Tan, media liaison officer of the Archdiocese of Cebu.
Fr. Charles Jayme, who is monitoring the donations with the help of the bishops, said they will give regular updates on the campaign. All donations will also undergo audit.
Cebu Auxiliary Bishop Dennis Villarojo, IEC secretary general, said the Church needs funds to cover the board and lodging expenses of speakers and interpreters during the event, among others.
The Church will also refurbish the San Pedro Calungsod templete, or little temple, at the South Road Properties (SRP) in Cebu City where the statio orbis or culminating mass will be held.
So far, around 5,000 delegates have registered for the IEC.
“We’re expecting at least 12,000 delegates. Hopefully, the number of registrants will increase at the end of the year,” he said.
The Eucharistic Pavilion, venue for most of the activities during the IEC, will be completed in the last week of October and turned over to the archdiocese in November.
The Pavilion is being constructed by private contractor Duros Development Construction at no cost to the Church within the San Carlos Major Seminary Complex on Pope John Paul II Avenue in Cebu City.
Duros has pledged to donate the building to the Church. In exchange, Duros was granted usufruct rights over part of the seminary property for 25 years.
In June last year, donation boxes designed with two hands holding the Eucharist were distributed to parishes, chapels and Catholic institutions.
Donations are collected by parish priests and school administrators and remitted to the Economic Affairs Office of dioceses and archdioceses.
These are then deposited in the Metrobank branch in Intramuros, Manila before being forwarded to the IEC main account.