CEBU, Philippines – The Department of Education in Lapu-Lapu City is suspending classes in both public and private schools for three days to give way for the 51st International Eucharistic Congress on January 24 to 31.
The class suspension was confirmed by Marilyn Andales, the city’s schools division superintendent, after they received a memorandum dated January 5 signed by DepEd-7 officer-in-charge regional director Julieta Jeruta.
The memorandum suspends classes on January 27 to January 29 to help decongest the traffic and allow the students to participate in the IEC activities.
Some other schools, however, have decided not to hold classes for more than three days.
Last week, Jovita Augusto of Saint Dominic Savio School and president of Cebu Principals Association -7, told reporters that they will not hold classes on January 25 to 30. She said two other Catholic schools in the city are set to do the same.
Lapu-Lapu City will host the IEC’s Youth Congress on January 27 which is expected to be graced by at least 5,000 delegates from 71 countries who will be served with a welcome dinner by the city’s local parishes.
Mayor Paz Radaza said they plan to hold a program in honor of the delegates, wherein selected students will showcase dance performances during the welcome dinner.
On January 28, the delegates will flock to the Hoopsdome in Barangay Gun-ob where they assemble for the Jericho Walk from Lapu-Lapu to Mandaue City.
Radaza earlier said barangays will play an important role in the success of the two-day assembly of youth delegates as she urged them to put up festive decorations in their areas, as well as to display their local products. (FREEMAN)