Bicol archbishop calls for prayers as Typhoon Rolly looms

LEGAZPI CITY — Archbishop Rolando Tria Tirona of the Archdiocese of Caceres has urged the faithful to pray for safety and protection from Typhoon Rolly (international name: Goni) as it intensifies and moves closer to the Bicol region.

“I enjoin you dear parish priests and religious communities to have a prayer vigil or offer a votive mass to spare our people and mother nature from further sufferings and pain,” Tirona said in a pastoral letter issued Saturday.

Tirona also encouraged churches and schools to accommodate and provide assistance to evacuees through the social action centers.

“Let us raise our pleas to our INA or Peñafracia (Bicol’s patroness) to protect our people and mother nature,” Tirona added.

In its 5 a.m. severe weather update, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical an Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Typhoon Rolly moved closer to the Bicol region on Saturday morning.

It was last spotted 655 kilometers east northeast of Virac, Catanduanes, packing maximum sustained winds of 215 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 265 kph, while moving west at 20 kph.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal Number 2 was raised over Albay, Catanduanes, Sorsogon and the eastern part of Camarines Sur (Caramoan, Garchitorena, Lagonoy, Tinambac, Siruma, Presentacion, San Jose, Goa, Buhi, Sagnay, Tigaon, Ocampo, Iriga City, Baao, Nabua, Bato, Balatan, Bula, Pili, Calabanga, Naga City, Bombon, Magarao, Canaman, Gainza, Milaor, Camaligan, Minalabac).

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