The gathering will offer prayer for drug users, gamblers and their families, he added.
Although the event is initiated by the Roman Catholic Church it is also open to other denominations, he said.
According to Dela Cruz, the prayer rally is only the beginning of a campaign against gambling, notably poker arcades, and the proliferation of prohibited drugs in the community.
“The Parish Pastoral Council has made a commitment to work on the complete elimination of illegal drugs, gambling and violence from every corner of our village,” he said.
Gambling and illegal drugs have greatly affected families, especially children, he added.
“Many have come to seek my advice, and ask for prayers for their family members who are into gambling and illegal drugs,” he said.
The Tanapag parish will work with all agencies, organizations, institutions, other churches as well as individuals that are also against illegal drug user and, Dela Cruz said.
In his letter to, William “Bill” Lieto, Parish Pastoral Council president, Dela Cruz said they can achieve the goal if everyone will work closely and diligently together.
“Let us incarnate our pure love and care for our community, for all the families and children of our village. Let us help the illegal drug users as well as the dealers, the gamblers and gambling operators out of self-destructive addictions,” Dela Cruz told parishioners.
The rally will start at 4:30 p.m. at the Santa Remedios Church in Tanapag.
After the prayer rally participants will march around the village and upon reaching the basketball court, there will be prayer services that will be concluded with the lighting of candles in honor of the victims of illegal drugs, gambling and violence.
The Tanapag parish will also hold a banner-making contest with the theme “Addictions to drugs & gambling, dishonor to self, family & society.”
The contest is open to any religious and civic group, organization, team, institution or company based in Tanapag.
