CBCP airs appeal for typhoon victims

MANILA, Dec. 20, 2011—The National Secretariat of Social Action, Justice and Peace of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines aired an appeal to its network members to respond immediately to emergency needs of typhoon victims.

NASSA chair and Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo, in a statement urged fellow bishops, social action directors and the faithful to mobilize community support for “Sendong” victims.

“We urgently solicit your support and contributions so we can help save lives and respond to the emergency needs of the calamity victims in eastern province of Agusan del Sur and northern Mindanao and in other dioceses as well,” Pabillo said. 

Typhoon Washi (local name “Sendong”) made a landfall on Friday evening (Dec. 16) in Northern Mindanao causing severe flash floods on Friday night and early Saturday particularly in Cagayan de Oro City in Misamis Oriental and Iligan City in Lanao del Norte province. 

According to reports, 23 barangays in Cagayan de Oro are still flooded as of December 19. The city still had no potable water. 

Data from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) revealed that some 3,500 families are being assisted in 7 evacuation centers. 

Death toll from the floods, according to Red Cross, was now at 652 with 808 others missing. 

In Iligan City, at least 24 villages are flooded according to NDRRMC report and more than 200 people are still missing. Some communities in the CARAGA region have also been affected. 

The Diocese of Dumaguete is also asking for help as the 2nd District of Negros Oriental was declared under the state of calamity.

Pabillo disclosed that NASSA is completing a ground assessment on the extent of the calamity to submit an emergency appeal to Caritas Internationalis.

But since it may take some days for Caritas International to respond to the emergency appeal, Pabillo is urging NASSA’s network members to mobilize local support to instantly respond to the situation.

NASSA said donors may send their check payable to CBCP Caritas Filipinas Foundation, Inc., and deposit to Bank of the Philippine Island (BPI), Account Number: 4951-0071-08. 

Donations may also be sent directly to the Diocesan Social Action Centers of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan City.

For the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro:
Bank Acct: Bank of the Philippine Island (BPI) - CDO
Acct. Name: Roman Catholic Archbishop of CDO Inc.
Acct. Number: 9330-001442
Contact Person: Fr. Nathan Lerio
Mobile Phone Number: 09177195626
Email: adextra_saccdo@yahoo.com.ph

For the Diocese of Iligan:
Bank: Philippine National Bank (PNB)
Acct. Name: Social Action Center
Acct. Number: 418290500013
Contact Person: Fr. Albert Mendez
Mobile Phone Number: 0918-7194847
Email: socialactioncenter2007@yahoo.com.ph

Pabillo said the calamity is a challenge to every Christian to spend the season of Advent in a spirit of “solidarity with the needy, to enkindle hope and to share God’s loving presence among us.” 

(CBCPNews)