Filipinos Praise Iglesia Ni Cristo For Offering Ciudad De Victoria To Gov’t As Quarantine Site

The Duterte administration and the Filipino people on social media thanked religious group Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) on Sunday, April 5, for allowing the government to use its Philippine Arena complex in Bulacan as a “mega” quarantine facility for persons who may have been afflicted with COVID-19.

House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez and his wife, Tingog Party-List Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez said the INC headed by Executive Minister, Brother Eduardo V. Manalo showed compassion with this gesture amid the common goal of defeating the pandemic.

“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 that should be emulated by those who are in public service,” said the Romualdez couple in a statement.

Earlier, Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) President Vince Dizon bared that the 55,000-seat Philippine Arena at Ciudad de Victoria, Bocaue, Bulacan would be used to quarantine the growing number of positive cases.

It is considered the world’s largest multi-purpose indoor arena with a floor area of 99,000 square meters.

“Nagpapasalamat tayo sa INC, sa kapatiran dahil pumayag na po sila. In-offer nila gamitin ang Philippine Arena. Ito ay napakalaking complex sa Bocaue, Bulacan para mag-serve din sa Bulacan at sa Region 3,” Dizon said.

“Ang Philippine Arena ay magiging mega quarantine facility sa Central Luzon,” he added.

In addition, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles also shared positive news that “our brothers in the Iglesia ni Cristo had agreed to let the government use the whole Ciudad de Victoria estate — not just the Philippine Arena itself — to isolate and quarantine COVID-19 cases.”

“So kasama po dito ang Philippine Arena, ang Philippine Sports Stadium at ang The Garden Suites,” he added.

On top of this, the INC is also providing personal protective equipment (PPEs) and other supplies to certain hospitals.

Further, Cavite 4th District Rep. Elpidio Barzaga praised the religious faction 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.

According to INC official Glicerio Santos Jr., Executive Minister Manalo has directed the Church to go “all-out” in helping the government prevent the spread of COVID-19 and treat those who have been 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.

Meanwhile, the majority of netizens on social media with different religions applauded the INC’s selfless act of helping the government and the people in times of emergencies.