Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle. (INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE)
Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle called on the faithful to extend their assistance to the victims of tropical storms “Urduja” and “Vinta” in Visayas and Mindanao.
In an interview over Church-run Radio Veritas, the prelate appealed to the public’s generosity, especially during the Christmas season.
He noted that the celebration of the Christmas season is not complete if one would forget the plight of the victims of Urduja in Samar and Leyte, and Vinta in Mindanao.
“It is only right that we become channels of goodness for our brothers who lost their loved ones, homes and livelihood,” Tagle said.
The prelate urged the faithful to help the victims of the two tropical storms by forwarding the aid to their diocese’s Caritas offices or social action centers.
“We in Caritas Manila are ready to accept your donations, which we will send to different churches and dioceses in Visayas and Mindanao. Christmas is about helping one another, just like Jesus Christ did,” Tagle added.
Hundreds died and thousands were displaced from the two weather disturbances, which hit Visayas and Mindanao just a few days before Christmas.
Pope Francis also offered his prayers to the victims of tropical storm Vinta in Mindanao.
Caritas Manila, the social action arm of the Archdiocese of Manila, and the Fr. Saturnino Urios University has sent an initial 1,500 packs of relief goods to the victims of Vinta in Cagayan de Oro last December 24.
The relief goods were first brought to the Cathedral of St. Augustine in Cagayan de Oro, after which these were distributed to affected residents.
Caritas Manila executive director Fr. Anton Pascual echoed Tagle’s call for help for the distressed victims of the two typhoons.
“People are suffering and they need help. We are in contact with the diocesan social action centers so we could immediately send help, ASAP,” Pascual said over Radio Veritas.
For its part, the Diocese of Tagum sent 3,000 packs of relief goods to the victims of Vinta in Compostela Valley and Davao Del Norte.
Marawi bishop Edwin dela Pena said the victims of the tropical storm in Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte are in need of rice, noodles, canned goods, root crops, and used clothing.
More than 5,000 families were affected by the typhoon in the Diocese of Iligan, which the Prelature of Marawi City aims to help.
“It was for this purpose that we were spared from this calamity so that we can express our gratitude by helping the less fortunate among us,” Dela Pena said.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches’ Philippine Relief and Development Services also appealed to the public to donate for its relief response to the victims.
In a statement, PCEC national director and bishop Noel Pantoja said the most needed items are food, mats, blankets, clothing, hygiene products, water containers and kitchen utensils.
Donations may be deposited at the BDO Universal Bank Anonas-Kamias branch, through PHILRADS peso savings account number 003980000251 and dollar savings account number 103980032226, or at Union Bank Kamias branch through PHILRADS savings account number 0002480003160. /kga