Quezon City councilors want the city to prepare early for the 100th founding anniversary of Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) in 2014, saying the “global scale” of the event requires a local government committee that should be formed soon.
Another councilor proposed an ordinance renaming a major road in honor of the late INC Executive Minister Eraño Manalo, citing “[his] significant role in the development of Christianity and the teaching of universal love and brotherhood through spiritual renewal and the word of God in the country.”
District 3 Councilor Allan Benedict Reyes said Central Avenue in Barangay Tandang Sora should be called Eraño G. Manalo Avenue.
Manalo was the leader of the INC, whose Central Temple is in Quezon City, from 1963 until his death in 2009. The temple stands on what is now Central Avenue.
A similar proposal was filed in the council in 2009 but the Manalo family declined the gesture since it came immediately after the religious leader’s death.
Reyes said renaming Central Avenue “is also in recognition of the influence Manalo cast on INC members who are generally respectable members of society.”
Meanwhile, nine councilors have called for the creation of a committee that will work with the INC leadership for the centennial celebrations on July 27 next year.
“Considering the global scale of the occasion, it is projected that a grand and impressive commemoration will take place,” according to a resolution authored by councilors Precious Castelo, Jessica Daza, Melencio Castelo, Karl Castelo, Lala Sotto, Gian Sotto, Eufemio Lagumbay, Jesus Manuel Suntay and Godofredo Liban. Julie M. Aurelio