Help for Taal victims

DAVAO CITY—Churches all over the Philippines are showing their support for fellow Filipinos who are affected by the recent eruption of Taal Volcano.

Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) President and Davao Archbishop Romulo G. Valles has called on the people to help those who were greatly afflicted by this calamity.

Through cash donations, the CBCP has created an online scheme where donors can send donations through the cbcpnews.net website. Paypal account holders and credit card users can send their donations which will then be forwarded to the Archdiocese of Lipa and Diocese of Imus.

In an interview with DCHerald, Archdiocesan Social Action Center Director Fr. Leonardo Dublan, Jr. said the Archdiocese of Davao will not be mobilizing the Oplan Tabang but the archbishop has instructed all parishes to have a second collection for Taal victims this Sunday, January 19.

Those who want to donate may also go to the Chancery Office at F. Torres St., where they can ask for a receipt and inform the chancery of their intention.

Archbishop Gilbert Garcera of Lipa has also appealed for aid to augment their ongoing relief operations.

He said they urgently need food, potable water, hygiene kits, blankets, towels, medicine, and face masks.

Parish churches, some seminaries, and religious centers in Batangas and Cavite provinces were also opened for evacuees.

Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) chief Renato Solidum said the ongoing ash eruptions continue to trigger volcanic earthquakes.

He said the threat to houses in nearby areas is imminent saying, “The danger from the earthquake events would be possible landslides on steep slopes like those on the caldera wall beneath Tagaytay Ridge. Houses with thick cover of ash might be affected by shaking as roof is heavier.”