Manila Archdiocese seeks help for Mindanao flood victims

Manila Cathedral, the main church of the Archdiocese of Manila (PHOTO BY RAFFY LERMA / INQUIRER)

MANILA — The social action arm of the Archdiocese of Manila has urged the faithful to help communities in Mindanao affected by massive flooding brought about by torrential rains.

The Caritas Manila said the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro and the Diocese of Butuan had appealed for help for residents hit by the flooding.

“(We) appeal for prayers for divine protection and to help alleviate the sufferings through our donations in cash and in kind for the relief and rehabilitation needs of our kababayans in the affected areas,” the organization said.

Early this month, several barangays (villages) in Cagayan de Oro City and Misamis Oriental were affected by massive flooding brought about by rains from a low pressure area.

A report from the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro’s social action center revealed that 331 houses were destroyed, while 860 were damaged.

Meanwhile, 63 houses outside the city were destroyed as well.

A report from the Diocese of Butuan showed that 312 houses were destroyed in La Paz, Agusan del Sur.

The Caritas Manila said the residents should be relocated after their homes were found in danger zones.  They do not have the capacity to rebuild their homes, according to Caritas Manila.

“The Diocese of Butuan’s immediate need is for food, medicines and potable water; the social action center of the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro is asking for help for their transitional housing project,” the organization said.

Cost estimates and model houses prepared by volunteer architects and engineers showed that one transitional shelter for a family of five would cost P30,000.

The Caritas Manila will be accepting donations through its Caritas Damayan program.

Donations can be made via https://ushare.unionbankph.com/caritas/, through bank deposit at the following accounts: Banco De Oro savings account number 5600-45905, Bank of the Philippine Islands savings account number 3063-5357-01, and Metrobank savings account number 175-3-17506954-3.

For dollar donations, contributions can be made through: BPI savings account number 3064-0033-55 with swift code BOPIPHMM, and Philippine National Bank savings account number 10-856-660002-5 with swift code PNBMPHMM.

The public can also donate through Cebuana Lhuillier, free of charge, or drop off their donations at the Caritas Manila office at 2002 Jesus Street, Pandacan, Manila, or at Radio Veritas at West Avenue corner EDSA, Quezon City.

Donors are asked to fax a copy of the deposit slip to 5639306, or email a scanned copy to [email protected] or [email protected] with the donor’s name and complete address.  SFM/rga