MANILA, August 20, 2013—It was no walk in the park for the three Catholic bishops who led their ecclesiastical jurisdictions in reaching out to people severely affected by floods.
Balanga (Bataan) Bishop Ruperto C. Santos said he has already exhausted his available funds for canned goods and medicines which he and his Social Action Center staff handed over to flood victims.
He said various parish priests reported flooding in their respective parishes and that several churches are submerged in knee-deep floods.
He said the floods were reported to have affected churches in Dinalupihan, Hermosa and Samal.
Meanwhile, in Cavite, recently-installed Imus Bishop Reynaldo Evangelista spent the day with his Social Action staff doing a survey of typhoon and flood-affected areas.
Pilar Laurente, Imus senior Social Action staff said she and Bishop Evangelista brought relief goods to 11 coastal parishes affected by storm surge.
“We received nearly a thousand food packs from the Basilica Minore of the Black Nazarene which complemented our locally-purchased relief goods,” Laurente said.
She added they are still waiting for donors and volunteers to repack the relief goods up for distribution at the soonest time possible.
The Diocesan Social Action Center served 400 families in Aniban, Bacoor, 200 families in Noveleta; 200 in Julugan, Tanza; 200 in Tanza town proper, 200 in Salinas, Bacoor; 125 in Bacoor town proper; and 100 in Binakayan.
Some 30 families and Cavite City’s three parishes received 9 boxes of assorted goods, six boxes of laundry and bath soap.
“Several parishes in Dasmariñas, Maragondon, Ternate, Baic and Bancaan, Naic have been adopted by De La Salle University-Dasmariñas,” Laurente further said.
The Diocese of Imus has released P 200,000 from its disaster fund to help the flood victims.
Laurente said they are expecting more relief goods from Caritas Manila tomorrow.
In the Diocese of Parañaque, Bishop Jesse Mercado described this year’s southwest monsoon triggered by typhoon “Maring” as the worst they have experienced.
“Aguirre Avenue’s floods have gone waist-deep,” the prelate told CBCP News, confirming reports that several churches have been flooded, too.
“Over in San Andres Parish, 480 persons have been evacuated to a safer place,” he added while Sto. Cristo Parish attends to some 48 families.
The prelate said they are thinking of putting up relief goods boxes at St. James parish in Alabang, San Antonio de Padua and Holy Family Parish.
“We will call on the Catholic faithful to bring their donations to these churches,” Mercado said. (Melo M. Acuna)
