MANILA, Philippines – It has been more than 3 months since Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) wreaked havoc on the Visayas and nearby regions, and the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) does not want people to forget.

On Saturday, February 15, the religious group will be holding a fundraising “Worldwide Walk” for the victims of the disaster, primarily those who are members of their organization. The activity will be held in over 140 sites around the world.

The walk will be held simultaneously in 85 sites in the Philippines, 34 sites in the United States and Canada, 6 sites in Europe, 10 sites in New Zealand and Australia, and 5 sites in Asia.

In Manila, the walk will start at the CCP Complex in Pasay City and end at Salas Street along Roxas Boulevard in Manila.

Brother Edwil Zabala of the INC told Rappler that, as of February 7, over 400,000 members of the INC have signed up for the walk. But he says the number of registered participants might go up.

Funds raised through the walk will be used primarily to help INC members in the Visayas. Zabal said INC will also use funds to bring aide to non-members as well.

The walk, said Zabala, also aims to raise awareness around the world. “We’re hoping that through this event, ‘yung mga tumutulong, hindi mapagod. ‘Yung mga hindi pa tumulong, pag nakita nila’ yung maglalakad – mga kapitbahay, mga karaniwang tao, maisip nila: p’wede pala akong tumulong,” he said.

(We’re hoping that through this event, people won’t grow tired of helping. And for those who haven’t helped yet, we’re hoping they’ll realize that even the ordinary person can do something to help victims of Yolanda.)

Road closure, rerouting

The walk will start at 7 am and is expected to end by noon, once the last walker crosses the 1.6 kilometer mark from CCP to Salas Street. After the walk, INC members will head to Luneta, to hear a short message from INC executive minister Eduardo Manalo.

A short prayer and thanksgiving activities will also be held at Luneta, said Zabala. Manila Police estimate the entire event to end by 6 or 7 pm.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and the Manila city government announced road blocking and traffic rerouting schemes in light of the event:

CLOSED ROADS

• Roxas Boulevard: north and south bound lanes from Buendia to Anda Circle 
• P. Burgos: east and west bound lanes from Palacio Street to Roxas Boulevard
• TM Kalaw: east and west bound land from MH del Pilar to Roxas Boulebard 
• P. Ocampo: from Mabini to Roxas Boulevard

REROUTING

• Access road going in and out of Manila Hotel and H2O Hotel: One lane going in and out will be utlized using the stretch of Independence road and Katigbak Drive via P. Burgos

PARKING

• Stretch of P. Burgos
• Stretch of Bonifacio Drive from Anda Circle to Katigbak 
• Stretch of TM Kalaw from MA Orosa to Roxas Boulevard 
• SM Harrison Pay Parking 
• CCP Parking

The rerouting and road blocking will be implemented 12 am to 6pm on February 15. Heavy traffic is expected in the entire city of Manila, according to Manila police. – Rappler.com