• CHERYL G. CRUZ
The Sangguniang Panlungsod of Bacolod has commended the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) on its 111th founding anniversary on July 27, and lauded its “continued contributions in promoting peace, humanitarian service, community development, spiritual upliftment, and national unity”.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier issued Proclamation No. 729 declaring the founding anniversary of INC on July 27, a Sunday, “a special non-working day nationwide… in order to give the members…the full opportunity to participate in the occasion”.
Councilor Caesar Distrito, who authored the resolution unanimously approved by the SP, stressed that INC’s 111th anniversary “is a remarkable milestone worthy of recognition and commendation for the organization’s spiritual legacy and its tangible impact on communities across the Philippines, and around the world.”
He noted that since its founding by Brother Felix Manalo on July 27, 1914, the INC has grown to become one of the largest and most influential indigenous religious movements in the Philippines, with an estimated membership in the millions, and congregations in more than 160 countries and territories around the world.
“Under the dynamic and visionary leadership of Executive Minister Brother Eduardo Manalo, the INC has achieved significant milestones in the areas of church administration, doctrinal unity, international outreach, and humanitarian work, while upholding the spiritual discipline, organizational integrity, and civic engagement that characterize the Church,” the resolution stressed.
It also continues to make meaningful contributions to the nation through its numerous programs and initiatives, such as the “Lingap sa Mamamayan (Aid to Humanity)” program, which provides medical, livelihood, educational, and emergency relief assistance to marginalized sectors across the Philippines and abroad;
The historic National Peace Rally on Jan. 13, 2025, which saw over 1.8 million participants nationwide, including more than 70,000 members in Bacolod alone, advocating peace, solidarity, and social order; the promotion of inclusivity through events, such as the Unity Games, that engage even persons with disabilities; and the sustained excellence of INC TV, New Era University, and New Era General Hospital, which continue to provide accessible information, education, and healthcare services to Filipinos, it added.
Distrito said that in Bacolod, the Iglesia Ni Cristo has been an active partner in various civic programs, community cleanups, public service drives, and interfaith harmony initiatives, through the unwavering participation of its members and leaders in the local ecclesiastical district.
“(Its) 111th anniversary is a significant milestone that not only commemorates its founding but also celebrates the values of faith, unity, service, and discipline it has continually promoted among its millions of members worldwide,” he added. | CGC
