Legazpi diocese appeals for aid to Mayon evacuees

In a circular letter, Bishop Joel Baylon asked the public to open their heart and their homes to the people who were displaced due to the volcano’s unrest which started last week. (Photo: Jose Locsin/Facebook)

MANILA — The Diocese of Legazpi has appealed to the faithful to help those affected by the eruption of Mayon Volcano.

In a circular letter, Bishop Joel Baylon asked the public to open their heart and their homes to the people who were displaced due to the volcano’s unrest which started last week.

“I wish therefore to knock at your kind and generous hearts. Let us show our love and concern,” part of the letter said.

“May I call upon those of you who can, to open your homes once again and welcome some of our brothers and sisters to share the comfort and security of our abodes, while this irregular situation continues. If for whatever reason this is not possible, can we at least consider allowing those in evacuation centers to use our toilets and bathrooms,” it added.

He also acknowledged the efforts of the government to help the evacuees.

“I recently visited several evacuation centers, and I saw that what is ideally a classroom that is to be shared by 8-10 families, is now shared by as many as 30-40 families! It matters most indeed that we try to decongest these unsanitary living conditions by helping some of them — especially those who have relatives in the city and the two centers — find a more comfortable space to stay and sleep. This will most surely lessen the spread of disease and other health problems,” the Catholic prelate said.

“Also, food and warm clothing are most welcome. While we appreciate the government’s efforts to provide for the food allowances of these more than 35,000 evacuees spread out in several centers of refuge. We believe that it cannot shoulder all this burden, and we the rest of society can and must contribute whatever we can to alleviate the unfortunate living conditions these brothers and sisters of ours are finding themselves in,” he added.

With this, Baylon said those who would like to help may visit the diocese.

“For those of you who therefore are interested in lending your hand, offering your home, and sharing whatever you got, please get in touch with the Social Action Center at the Cathedral Compound of the Diocese of Legazpi. And for more information please tune in to Radyo Veritas-Legazpi,” he added.

On the other hand, Caritas Manila and Radio Veritas 846 also appealed for prayers for divine protection and donations in cash and in kind to help alleviate the sufferings of the people in the province of Albay.

This, as parishes from the Diocese of Albay activated their Parish Disaster Response Committees (PaDReCom) and utilized PaDReFund.

Initial actions are the setting up of soup kitchens and offering church facilities to house most vulnerable evacuees such as pregnant and lactating mothers, persons with disabilities (PWDs) and the elderly.

Parishes also reactivated a program for disaster emergencies such as volunteer shelters in private homes to help decongest evacuation centers and prioritize the needs of most vulnerable displaced population.

Rev. Fr. Rex Paul Arjona from the Social Action Center (SAC) of Diocese of Legazpi appealed to the faithful to provide the immediate needs of the evacuees.

“Most evacuees are farmers who live and work within the 6km radius permanent danger zone. Their lives are disrupted and their means of livelihood suddenly became inaccessible. That is why they need all the help we could give,” he said in a statement.

A total of 7,252 families and 27, 643 individuals in 32 barangays have been evacuated as of 8 am of January 20, 2018.

This does not include the evacuees from Legazpi City who have been decamped days ago but had since returned to evacuation centers (ECs).

Immediate needs identified per monitoring by SAC Legazpi and Parish Commissions on Social Concerns (PCSCs) are non-food items such as sleeping mats, mosquito nets, blankets, face masks, hygiene kits, firewood, as well as food, water and additional toilets and communal kitchens.

Donations can be made online via http://ushare.unionbankph.com/caritas/ or by bank deposit:

Account Name: Caritas Manila

Banco De Oro – Savings Account No.: 5600-45905

Bank of the Philippine Islands – Savings Account No.: 3063-5357-01

Metrobank – Savings Account No.: 175-3-175069543

For dollar accounts:

Account Name: Caritas ManilaBank of the Philippine Islands – Savings Account No. 3064-0033-5Swift Code – BOPIPHMM

Philippine National Bank – Savings Account No. 108566600025Swift Code – PNBMPHMM

Likewise, donations can be made via Cebuana Lhuillier (free of charge) or dropped off at Caritas Manila office at 2002 Jesus St. Pandacan, Manila or Radio Veritas in West Ave. corner EDSA, Quezon City.

For proper acknowledgment of your donations, kindly fax copy of deposit slip to 563-9306 or e-mail a scanned copy to caritas_manila@yahoo.com and indicate your name & complete address.