Count of people dead, missing, rises up as floods subside

THE tally of people dead and missing rises up even as homeless families took stock of what’s left in their lives in the worst flooding that hit Metro Manila and neighboring provinces in recent years.

Heavy rains brought by Typhoon “Ondoy” during the weekend submerged low-lying areas in the Archdiocese of Manila, and the dioceses Cubao, Pasig, Antipolo, Kalookan, Novaliches and Malolos.

In Sagrada Familia Parish in Sitio Veterans, Bagong Silangan, Quezon City and neighboring parish of San Isidro, both administered by Carmelites priests, floodwaters that reached as high as the rooftops sent hundred of families to evacuate in higher grounds.

Carmelite Brother Gilbert Billena, O’Carm, a member of the parish pastoral team, said that as of yesterday afternoon, 14 people were confirmed dead at San Isidro Parish.

Recent updates this morning pegged casualties at around 70 people at Sagrada Familia Parish in Sitio Veterans, Bagong Silangan, Quezon City. Billena said many of those missing were children.

The Carmelite brother reiterated his plea for help to hundreds of families in his parish who are now homeless and in dire need of food, clothing and medicines.

Bishops of the affected dioceses have also aired their appeal for donations to help the victims.

Member schools of the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP) have also started their campaign drive to help flood victims.

CEAP president Msgr. Gerry Santos said the association’s calamity fund will be used to help those affected by the floods.

In Bacolod, the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos has likewise started it’s own campaign drive asking students, faculty and staff to donate foodstuffs and clothing for the victims.

Caritas Manila sends relief goods to flood victims

RESPONDING to the immediate needs of the flood victims huddled at evacuation centers in Manila archdiocese, Caritas Manila has sent at least 1,000 bags of relief goods early today to hundreds of families.

Gina Santos, Caritas Manila Disaster-in-Charge, said they sent the relief goods to Pasay area this morning.

Santos said Pasay City is the most seriously affected area in the archdiocese, so it is their priority as of the moment. Other areas will be attended later on, she said.

Caritas Manila executive director Fr. Anton CT Pascual disclosed in an interview that Caritas is currently short of funds because of the financial help they just sent to Mindanao and Zambales.

He appealed to the people for donations in cash and in kind to help the flood victims.

As of the moment, the organization has around two hundred thousand pesos left in its calamity fund.

Incidentally, Caritas Manila is launching its “telethon” tomorrow to raise funds to finance its various programs for the poor.

Pascual pointed out the timeliness of the fundraising campaign in the wake of the disaster caused by the floods.

He also mentioned the relevance of today’s feast of St. Vincent de Paul, as patron of charitable works, even as he encouraged people and organizations to send aid to the victims as well help the poor.

Caritas Manila has recently launched “Caritas Manna”, low-priced commodities being sold by network of cooperatives and some parishes in Metro Manila.

Floods send hundreds of families to evacuation centers, bishops ask help for victims

THE heavy rains brought by typhoon “Ondoy” have submerged various areas of Metro Manila and Rizal provinces underwater sending hundreds of families into evacuation centers.

Antipolo Auxiliary Bishop Francisco de Leon said more than 300 families displaced by floods have sought refuge in schools and the church of Our Lady of the Abandoned parish in Marikina City.

In an appeal aired over Radio Veritas, the bishop asked the faithful to send donations of foodstuffs, clothing and other needed materials to help the victims.

He said donations may be sent to the parish office of the Our Lady of the Abandoned Parish.

The Metro Manila areas affected by floods include parishes under the Archdiocese of Manila, and dioceses of Cubao, Pasig, Antipolo, Kalookan, Novaliches and Malolos.

Bishop Jose Oliveros of Malolos likewise aired a similar appeal to help the flood victims in his diocese.

Many parishes in Bulacan area have also been engulfed in water, he said. Among the parishes submerged in water were those in Meycauayan, Valenzuela and Obando.

He said donations in cash and in kind may be sent to the diocesan Commission of Service in Plaridel, Bulacan.

Meanwhile, Antipolo social action director Fr. Bien Miguel reported that seven people died in a mudslide in his parish in Teresa, Rizal.

The priest is asking Caritas Manila for help.

He also asked the people to course their donations to Caritas Manila since the mudslide made the road to Teresa impassable at the moment.

As of this morning, reports coming from people in the Angono and Cainta areas said that floodwaters are still rising.