SHELTER. Residents displaced by habagat rains, enhanced by Typhoon Carina, take shelter inside a church in Novaliches, Quezon City. PHOTO COURTESY OF STA. LUCIA PARISH
MANILA, Philippines–Bishop Honesto Ongtioco of the Diocese of Cubao on Wednesday, July 24, directed priests in the community to open churches to residents displaced by monsoon rains enhanced by Typhoon Carina.
The relentless rain triggered flooding in Metro Manila and some provinces in Luzon, prompting local governments to evacuate residents, including 25,867 individuals in Quezon City as of 2 p.m., according to data from the local government.
Evacuees fill a church in Roxas District in Quezon City. PHOTO COURTESY OF HOLY FAMILY PARISH IN ROXAS DISTRICT
While over 150 evacuation centers were already designated by the Quezon City government in 82 barangays, the Diocese of Cubao said that some of its churches have already opened their doors to residents, who had to leave their houses in flood-hit areas:
- Holy Family Parish, Roxas District
- Our Lady of Pentecost Parish, Loyola Heights
- Immaculate Conception Parish, GSIS Village
- Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Project 8
- Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Cubao
- Holy Family Parish, GSIS Village
- Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Cordillera Street
- Resurrection of Our Lord Parish, Basa Street
- Diocesan Shrine of Jesus, the Divine Word, E. Rodriguez Sr.
FLOODED. A church in Quezon City has been submerged because of heavy monsoon rains enhanced by Typhoon Carina. PHOTO COURTESY OF SAN ANTONIO DE PADUA PARISH
But on Facebook, the diocese said, as well, that some of its churches were under water as 200 millimeters, or almost eight inches, of rain fell in Metro Manila in the past 24 hours:
- San Antonio de Padua Parish, Masambong
- Most Holy Redeemer Parish, Brixton Hall
PHOTO COURTESY OF HOLY FAMILY PARISH-GULOD
Some churches in the Diocese of Novaliches, such as the Holy Family Parish in Gulod and Santa Lucia Parish in Rizal Street, opened their doors, too, to provide temporary shelters, where basic necessities are provided for displaced individuals.
The Good Samaritan First United Methodist Church in Brgy. Sta. Cruz in Quezon City is also open to evacuees.