Catholic churches in Sorsogon open for evacuees

INQUIRER FILES

SANTA MAGDALENA, Sorsogon — Parishes across Sorsogon province have opened their doors to evacuees as Typhoon Pepito intensifies and draws nearer.

In a memorandum circular on Friday, Nov. 15, Bishop Jose Alan Dialogo ordered parishes to turn their churches, including barangay chapels, to evacuation centers in cater evacuees from highly vulnerable areas.

READ: LIVE UPDATES: Typhoon Pepito

“I urge all vicariates, parishes, the religious, and the faithful to take proactive steps to mitigate the impact of the typhoon on lives and properties,” Dialogo said.

The bishop also ordered parishes to “check the structural integrity of their buildings” to ensure the safety of evacuees.

READ: Pagasa warns: Pepito a very dangerous cyclone

Basic supplies and first aid kits shall be made available to cater evacuees needs, Dialogo added.

The auditorium of the Our Lady of Peñafrancia Seminary High School Deparment in Sorsogon City will serve as the diocesan center of operations where relief packing and all transactions will be conducted.

As of writing, the Our Lady of the Pillar Parish in Pilar town has already accepted evacuees, according to parish priest Rev. Fr. Burt Sare.

Additionally, the San Antonio De Padua Parish in Polot, Bulan is now housing some evacuees.

In a Facebook post, Rev. Fr. Treb Futol showed photos of Saint Anthony De Padua Parish in Gubat town that is now ready to accept evacuees.

The state weather bureau reported in its 5 p.m. forecast that Pepito was seen at 465 kilometers east of Guiuan, Estern Samar, continuing its rapid intensification.