Villegas urges faithful to participate in earthquake drill

Archbishop Socrates B. Villegas (CBCP News photo)

MANILA — The president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) urged parishes to join in the earthquake drill.

Archbishop Socrates Villegas said its part of good citizenship for people to be involved in such activity, which would ensure their safety.

“Every Catholic should be a good citizen. Its part of good citizenship to be involved on matters like this that will benefit the general welfare. We should. That’s part of good citizenship and that’s part of good religion,” the Lingayen-Dagupan prelate said in an interview.

He noted that earthquake drill has been conducted in the archdiocese.

Asked why the people have to prepare while God is there, Villegas said, “The Lord gave us freedom. The Lord gave us intelligence so we can use these gifts in everything that happens to us everyday.”

Meanwhile, the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP) is calling on its member schools and universities to join the government-led earthquake drill on July 30 in Manila.

“CEAP is encouraging its member-schools to participate in it. We are aware that almost all of our schools have scheduled and un-announced fire and earthquake drills to ensure the safety of our children,” said Anthony Coloma, CEAP Advocacy and Information Management officer.