ILOILO City – The “RUN for Jesus 2020” praise and worship convention originally scheduled yesterday was moved to April 30.
According to Rev. Dr. Robert B. Senining (not Senening as previously reported), general secretary of Agape Christian International Missionaries (Iloilo) Inc. (ACIMI) that is organizing the event, they respect the city government’s decision to cancel the gathering due to concerns over the possible spread of the coronavirus disease 2029 (COVID-19).
They still expect over20,000 participants on April 30, said Senining.
However, he said they would likely not be inviting participants from abroad such as from South Korea which has the highest number of COVID-19 cases outside China where the infection originated.
“This will be a local event na lang with our brother and sisters from Panay and Negros islands, Manila and Mindanao,” said Senining.
He also said they would be heeding COVID-19 precautionary measures as advised by the Department of Health “to ensure the health safety ofr our people. Sanitation is still very important –we will comply with it.”
For the aborted event yesterday, Senining said they were initially expecting 400 delegates from South Korea but many decided not to come after learning that the city government cancelled the gathering.
Only 37 South Koreans pushed through with their Philippine trips, said Senining.
When the city government announced on Feb. 25 the event’s cancellation, 17 South Koreans were already in Iloilo City, said Senining.
On Feb. 26, the City Health Office said it was able to track down 19 Koreans but Senining clarified that two of them were not part of the delegation.
Senining also stressed that “RUN for Jesus 2020” is a local initiative and not organized by churches in South Korea.
Another clarification: 35 Korean guests were already in the Philippines before the outbreak of COVID-19 in Daegu City. Senining said these Koreans had medical clearances and were subjected to thermal scanning at the airports of their arrival.
“We want to make it clear that we are all for the protection and safety of our people, especially the Ilonggos. As a matter of fact, ‘RUN for Jesus’ was born out of our love for Iloilo and its people,” according to Senining.
“To the Ilonggo people who were looking forward to this event, please accept our apologies. To our partners, friends, and supporters, our heartfelt thanks! We are rescheduling the event on April 30 and we hope you’ll still be willing to journey with us until that date,” added Senining./PN
