The City Council, during last Monday’s regular session, approved on first reading a proposed ordinance declaring the 27th day of July every year as the Iglesia ni Cristo Day in the city to commemorate the founding anniversary of the Iglesia ni Cristo.
Under the proposed ordinance, every 27th day of July shall be declared Araw ng Iglesia ni Cristo in the city, it being the foundation day of the said religious group.
The ordinance seeks to declare every July 27 a local holiday in the city to observe the founding anniversary of the religious group not only in recognition of its contributions in local and nation building but also for its unique character of being indigent to the Philippines.
The proposed edict recognized the Iglesia ni Cristo as a home-grown religious organization which pronounces no trinitarian Christian restorationism.
The religious group was founded by Brother Felix Y. Manalo and was registered in the Philippines on July 27, 1914.
Further, it was first founded in Punta, Sta. Ana, Manila, and spread not only throughout the Metropolis but also in the neighboring provinces in Luzon and the islands of Visayas and Mindanao and eventually various parts of the world.
The proposed ordinance was referred to the concerned committee for study and recommendation for second and third readings depending on the results of the public hearing that will be conducted for the said purpose. By Dexter A. See