House OKs holiday for INC centennial

MANILA, Philippines - The House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading a resolution declaring July 27, 2014 a special non-working holiday to commemorate the centennial anniversary of Iglesia ni Cristo (INC).

House Joint Resolution No. 12, introduced by Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr., was sponsored by Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales Jr. and Minority Leader Ronaldo Zamora.

The INC will be celebrating its historic centennial year on July 27 when Felix Ysagun Manalo or “Ka Felix” founded the church.

“The INC is considered the largest entirely indigenous Christian church in the Philippines and the largest independent Christian Church in Asia,” the House leaders said.

“The massive scale of the event is indicative of its great significance to a large number of Filipinos, who are members of the INC, and who will be gathering from all over the world to take part in their Church’s centennial celebration,” they said.

The House committee on revision of laws earlier approved House Bill 3649 filed by Bacolod Rep. Evelio Leonardia declaring July 27 a special non-working holiday to commemorate INC’s centennial. The measure got the support of the Labor department.