From Philstar headlines | October 15, 2013
From Inquirer - INC medical mission paralyzes Metro Manila
Edwil Zabala, spokesman for yeterday's "Kabayan ko, kapatid ko" outreach program to other religious group denied it was muscle flexing by the religious group INC. There were various estimate as to the size of crowd which paralyzed MM (from low of 700t to 3 million).
It was the first time the event was held in Manila creating huge disruptions in schools, offices and even in court hearings. Even Mayor Erap lamented the holding of the event and suggested that it should have on week end so as not cause this much disruption.
The INC event was held in 5 years: Lawton (Manila Post Office) Recto, Quiapo, (near Isetann and underpass) Plaza del Carmen, Quinta Market. INC hired 5,000 buses to ferry INC members from the provinces (I overheard in an fx where the coordinator was calling for 1000 buses from Southern Tagalog area, and another from Bulacan area) So there you are you have a picture why the big big massive traffic jam
However the foundation that held this, the Felix Y Manalo Foundation said that Monday was the only available date available prior to the group's departure for USA where they will hold a similar event. They had similar event in Paranaque and La Union.
The event consisted of medical and dental mission and distribution of relief packs
The massive traffic occurred as some major streets were blocked off to ferry participants to Manila.
I think they held this as a show of force and connection with the local government, no matter who are inconvenienced.
Zabala said the purpose of the event was to spread the word of God.
What do you think?
From Google images
