“Adopt-a-parish” program

CEBU, Philippines - “Prayers alone are not enough to solve and alleviate the plight of the victims.”

This was in the circular issued by Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma to the whole archdiocese in the province in line with their planned efforts to extend assistance to the victims of super typhoon “Yolanda” particularly in Northern Cebu towns.

Yesterday, Fr. Charles Louis Jayme, coordinator of the Archdiocesan Relief Operations, introduced the adopt-a-parish program wherein 22 typhoon-struck parishes in Northern Cebu would be assisted by parishes in Metro Cebu and will regularly provide relief goods to the residents within the parish.

Jayme explained that one or two parishes in Metro Cebu will be assigned to one parish in Bogo, Tabogon, Daan Bantayan, Medellin and the islands of Camotes and Bantayan. (please see list of Metro Cebu parishes and the respective parishes they will adopt.)

The adopt-a-parish program is on top of the efforts of Cebu Archdiocese to extend assistance to victims of the typhoon which also includes provision of relief goods not included in the adopt-a-parish program.

Msgr. Roberto Alesna, chairman of the Cebu Caritas Inc. said they are all set in helping out victims of the typhoon which came shortly after the 7.2-magnitude earthquake that also hit the Visayas.

In fact, Alesna said they were about to deliver the second batch of relief goods to residents of Bohol who were displaced by the earthquake when the “Yolanda” happened.

Alesna shared that after the super typhoon, Auxiliary Bishop of  Cebu Emilio Bataclan went to their office and appealed for relief goods for those affected by “Yolanda.”

Also, aid from other partners of Cebu Caritas have also pledged donations like the Radyo Veritas who gave P300,000 as well as the National Secretariat for Social Action who has given P300,000 and has also assured that they will provide relief goods for three months for a far-flung area in the north that will be identified by the Cebu Caritas.

Archbishop Palma extended their gratitude to the donors and encouraged the continuous relief efforts from the public.

“(Let us) make the people know that in this moment of difficulty and sadness, hindi sila nag-iisa. We are one in them in prayer and one in them in doing the best we can for their needs,”he said.  (FREEMAN)