Churches in Bicol Open Doors to Possible ‘Pepito’ Evacuees.
Bicol: Bishops in the Bicol region are opening their churches to possible evacuees of Super Typhoon Pepito (international name Man-yi) as the storm threatens the area. The Office of Civil Defense in Bicol (OCD-5) reported that 491,047 individuals or 137,726 families from the six provinces have moved to evacuation centers in anticipation of the typhoon’s impact.
According to Philippines News Agency, Caceres Archbishop Rex Andrew Alarcon has called for prayers for protection from the typhoon and emphasized the importance of community support during these challenging times. He urged for courage, strength, and trust in God, especially for the vulnerable members of the community. Alarcon also invoked the protection of the Blessed Virgin of Peñafrancia, hoping for the safety and well-being of the people.
Sorsogon Bishop Jose Alan Dialogo has instructed all churches in the diocese to serve as temporary shelters for those displaced by the typhoon. Fr. Ruel Lasay, executive director of Caritas Sorsogon, stated that
the churches are prepared to welcome evacuees from areas at risk of landslides and flooding. The diocese has also readied 1,500 prepositioned goods for distribution to affected families.
Bayombong Bishop Jose Elmer Mangalinao has requested prayers for the resilience and safety of everyone facing the challenges brought by the typhoon. He expressed hope for the deepening of faith and trust in God amidst the trials.
Caritas Philippines, the humanitarian arm of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, has activated its emergency protocols. Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo, president of Caritas Philippines, emphasized the importance of prioritizing safety and preparedness. The organization is mobilizing resources through its Alay Kapwa program to address the humanitarian needs of communities in the typhoon’s path.
The Bicol Region, still recovering from the recent Tropical Storm Kristine, is expected to be among the areas affected by Pepito, with landfall anticipated near Catanduanes. Caritas Philippines
and diocesan social action centers are coordinating with local government units to ensure effective disaster response and preparedness.