Venue for IEC halfway done

CEBU, Philippines - The plenary hall for next year’s International Eucharistic Congress is halfway done, officials of the Cebu archdiocese announced yesterday.

Construction manager Engr. Adonis Gabutin said the IEC Pavilion is already 50.8 percent complete as of February 28.

Cebu Archdiocese Jose Palma had admitted worrying over the event, considering the high expectations from no less than the officials in Rome. Local officials went to the Vatican last year to present the plans and accomplishments at that time.

“I have to be honest, I’m a bit anxious with the high expectation especially after the presentation in Rome where we brought the vestments. When I saw the pavilion, I’m excited,” Palma told reporters yesterday.

The construction of the P549,292,473 million-worth pavilion, as estimated by quantity surveyor and project manager Rider Levett and Bucknall, is being spearheaded by Duros Development Corporation for free.

In return, the archdiocese, through a memorandum of understanding, granted DDC usufructuary rights over two hectares of the property for 25 years.

The two-level pavilion is located at the 2.5 hectare lot inside the Seminario Mayor and has a total floor area of 7,207.86 square meters. The plenary hall is 18,546.42 square meters.

Of the P549 million, P11.9 million is for the demolition and transfer of existing structures inside the seminary property. The pavilion to be used for the IEC is P475.6 million.

With the construction free of charge, Monsignor Dennis Villarojo, 51st IEC secretary general, said the funds that will be raised in several projects will be intended for the operational expenses of the worldwide Catholic event.  Villarojo said further that contrary to reports of a P600 million budget, the operational expense of the IEC is P250 million.

“Considering provisionary allowance of 10 percent, thereabouts it could go as high as P275 million. But the budget stands at P250 million,” Villarojo said.

He assured that the amount will be raised through various fund-raising activities such as registration, “Piso Para Sa Misa Ng Mundo,” sponsorship, among others.  The finance committee also plans of developing a Station of the Cross and Meditation Garden at the Archbishop’s Residence.

Palma said no mandatory fee will be asked but organizers will accept donations for those who wish to help raise funds for the IEC.

“IEC is not a money-making event. We solicit money not to gain money at the end of the activity. We raise just enough,” Palma said.  The weeklong 51st IEC will take place in January 2016. — Jessa J. Agua/JMO (FREEMAN)