Bishop Baylon encourages faithful in Albay to help Taal evacuees

LEGAZPI CITY — The Diocese of Legazpi has encouraged its parishioners and communities to help the victims of the Taal Volcano eruption in the provinces of Batangas and Cavite by sending donations.

Bishop Joel Baylon said the outreach program dubbed as “Ayuda kan Albay” (Help of Albay) needs in-kind donations such as face masks, rice, canned goods, hygiene kits, mats and blankets.

“Let this calamity lead us to grow into generous neighbors to those in need,” Baylon said.

The prelate said the second collection for the Sunday (January 19) mass shall be devoted for this purpose.

Fr. Rex Paul Arjona, director of the social action center of the diocese, said the delivery of cash donations and relief goods will be tentatively scheduled on last week of January.

“Our brand for every local disaster operation is ‘Ayuda Albay’ since Typhoon Reming in 2006, but if we are doing an outreach, ‘Ayuda kan Albay’ is being used,” Arjona said.

Claire Hariri, public relations officer of SM Legazpi, also appealed to public to drop their donations for the said outreach program at the booth installed inside the mall.