Catholic groups rushed to deliver emergency relief in Masbate on Friday after Severe Tropical Storm Bualoi — locally called Opong – tore through the province, collapsing church ceilings, flattening homes, and forcing thousands of families into evacuation centers.
The Vincentian Missionaries Social Development Foundation Inc. (VMSDFI) of the Congregation of the Mission (CM) appealed for immediate support, stressing the critical need to act in the first hours after the storm.
“It is crucial for the Church to send relief aid in the first 12 hours after the disaster hits,” said Fr. Geowen Porcincula, CM, executive director of VMSDFI. He added that the immediate priority was “to provide hot meals to families and secure safe spaces for the displaced.”
Collapsed church, rising toll
In Batuan town, evacuees took shelter at the Immaculate Conception Parish Church when its roof and ceiling collapsed under the force of the winds before dawn.
Severe Tropical Storm Bualoi struck Masbate twice after making landfall in Eastern Samar late Thursday. Officials confirmed at least three deaths in the Bicol region, with 400,000 people evacuated nationwide.
“We are clearing many big trees and toppled electric posts because many roads are impassable,” rescuer Frandell Anthony Abellera told Agence France-Presse (AFP) from Masbate City. “The rain was strong, but the wind was stronger.”
Dioceses rally collections and shelters
The Diocese of Legazpi announced special collections during weekend Masses to be channeled to Masbate “as early as we can.” “By giving generously, you are directly helping our brothers and sisters in Masbate who are struggling with loss, damage, and disruption caused by the storm,” the diocese said.
In Daet, Bishop Hernando Abcede ordered all parishes and quasi-parishes to hold second collections, while Caritas Sorsogon launched a command center and listed food, water, shelter materials, hygiene kits, medical supplies, clothing, and footwear as top needs.
Across Bicol, churches have doubled as sanctuaries for evacuees. The Archdiocese of Caceres reported nearly 4,000 people housed in 20 parish centers in Camarines Sur, while the Diocese of Virac said more than 450 people sought shelter in at least 11 parish and mission churches in Catanduanes.
“Let us continue to pray for everyone’s safety and for the swift recovery of our communities,” the archdiocese said.
Solidarity in the wake of back-to-back storms
The appeals come as Filipinos reel from back-to-back cyclones. Just days earlier, Super Typhoon Ragasa left at least 14 people dead in northern Luzon before lashing Taiwan and China.
Scientists have warned that climate change is fueling stronger, more destructive storms in the region.
Fr. Porcincula emphasized, speed and solidarity may spell the difference between despair and hope in the storm’s aftermath. – with reports from CBCP News and AFP
