Church asks faithful for donations for Albay evacuees

Evacuees cook their meals at a common kitchen in an evacuation center in Miisi village, Ligao township, following the sporadic eruptions of Mayon volcano, Friday, Jan. 26, 2018, in Albay province, around 200 miles (340 kilometers) southeast of Manila, Philippines. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)

BACOLOD CITY — Bacolod Bishop Patricio Buzon has called on the faithful to help the more than 80,000 people displaced by the eruption of Mayon volcano in Albay province.

Buzon sent a circular to all parishes, asking the public to respond to the needs of evacuees by sending donations through the Social Action Center of the Diocese of Bacolod.

The National Secretariat for Social Action of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines has organized “Simbahan Para sa Mayon 2018” to help people displaced by Mayon’s unrest, he said.

Second collection

Buzon also called for a second collection in all Masses in the diocese on Feb. 4 for Mayon evacuees.

Archbishop Rolando Tria Tirona, Caritas Philippines national director, appealed for donations of construction materials.

He said Caritas would build tents and “provide dignified temporary shelters” to at least 500 families as a way to decongest evacuation centers.

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) started building latrines in different evacuation centers in Guinobatan and Malilipot towns.

The PRC also distributed water, hygiene and sleeping kits, and face and dust masks to evacuees. —CARLA P. GOMEZ, TINA G. SANTOS AND JODEE AGONCILLO