About 100,000 Iglesia ni Cristo devotees from the northern, southern and central part of Negros Occidental flocked yesterday to the Panaad Park and Stadium in Bacolod City for their grand assembly to celebrate their 95th anniversary.

Bacolod City and INC officials yesterday morning also held unveiling rites for the renaming of Buri Road in Brgy. Mandalagan, to Honorata G. Manalo Drive.

Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia said the Sangguniang Panluingsod unanimously passed City Ordinance 483, or an ordinance renaming Buri Road in recognition of the contribution of the late Honorata De Guzman-Manalo to the religious development of the populace. 

“Together with Vice Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson, the councilors and the people of Bacolod, we would like to congratulate the INC on their 95th anniversary which we believe is a historic event,” Leonardia said.

INC has made many contributions to society “if we talk about disciple, values even the culture and character of our people that they had a hand in shaping,” he said.

Leonardia yesterday missed the State of the Nation Address of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo for the first time, to attend the 95th anniversary celebration of the INC held in Bacolod City.

Leonardia said he felt he had to be in the city, considering the significance of the occasion.

But he said he fully congratulates the President on her SONA and professes his support for her.

The President has done good job. “She has passed the test and she has moved the economy forward, so that inspite of the global recession, the Philippines was not so much affected. That’s her best achievement,” he added.

Meanwhile, about 300 motorists joined the motorcade after the road unveiling ceremony yesterday, Senior Insp. Luisito Acebude, head of Traffic Management Unit, said.

Acebuche placed the INC crowd that later gathered at the Panaad Park at 100,000.*LTG/CGS

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