HOUSE leaders on Sunday heaped praises on the leadership of the influential and well-respected Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) led by its Executive Minister, Brother Eduardo V. Manalo for allowing the conversion of its colossal Philippine Arena into a quarantine facility for coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) cases.
House Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez and Tingog party-list Rep. Yedda Marie K. Romualdez expressed gratitude to INC for showing “malasakit” (compassion) in the shared objective to effectively defeat COVID-19.
“Our deep appreciation to the Iglesia ni Cristo for another Christian and humanitarian initiative. Your inspiring vision and support in the government’s fight to eliminate COVID-19 is a very valued example to emulate by those who are in public service,” said the Romualdez couple after Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) president Vince Dizon bared the use of the Philippine Arena.
“Salamat po sa liderato po ng Kapatiran. Salamat po sa lahat ng religious and business groups na pumapayag na gamitin ang kanilang facilities,” said Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano.
“We thank the INC for showing that the spirit of ‘bayanihan’ is very much alive with their continued outpouring of support, aid, and love to Filipino people. This is really heartwarming,” said Ako Bisaya party-list Rep. Sonny Lagon.
Cavite Rep. Elpidio “Pidi” Barzaga Jr., president of the National Unity Party (NUP), lauded the INC for “another worthy and admirable act of helping the government eliminate the COVID-19 by allowing the use of Philippine Arena to house possible carriers of COVID-19.”
“This is a big boost in our efforts to defeat COVID-19. Thank you again INC for another great and noble deed,” said Barzaga, the chairman of the House committee on natural resources.
Deputy Speaker and Batangas Rep. Raneo Abu welcomed the “selfless act” of INC that would contribute greatly to efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19.
“Our heartfelt gratitude to INC for always in the forefront of another big battle to save the country and the world from COVID pandemic,” said Abu.
Quezon City Rep. Precious Castelo lauded the offer, stressing this is a “gesture of a selfless act that is consistent with INC’s tradition of helping the government and the people in times of emergencies like this.”
“It is timely because the Department of Health intends to go into mass testing of suspected coronavirus carriers before the end of the 30-day enhanced community quarantine next weekend,” said Castelo.
Castelo pointed out that those who test positive for the disease or who manifest flu-like symptoms like coughing, fever and chills would have to be isolated so they would not infect others.
“That is when quarantine facilities like the Philippine Arena would be needed, since hospitals are already full of patients,” she added.
Aside from the area, which has a floor area of about 99,000 square meters, the INC is offering the Garden Suites, also part of the Bocaue complex, as housing for health workers who would care for suspected virus carriers.
In addition to the offer, the INC is also providing personal protective equipment and other supplies to certain hospitals.
According to INC official Glicerio Santos Jr., Executive Minister Ka Eduardo Manalo has directed the church to be “all out” in helping the government prevent the spread of Covid-19 and treat those infected.
“Ka Eduardo has told us that rather than face this threat with fear, we should confront it with action and this is why the church has chosen to help the government and our countrymen in any way we can,” Santos said.
