Papal visit may displace Yolanda survivors

MANILA, Philippines - The Catholic Church was asked yesterday to assist survivors of Typhoon Yolanda in Leyte amid reports their bunkhouses would be demolished in preparation for Pope Francis’ visit next year.

CBCPNews, the official news service provider of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, quoted Marissa Cabaljao, spokesperson for People Surge, a non-government organization, as saying that the local government is set to forcibly evacuate the residents on Nov. 8.

Cabaljao said the forced evacuation, supposedly aimed at securing the pope’s route, would “prevent him from seeing the truth of the situation.”

The pope’s visit is set on Jan. 15 to 19.

People Surge said Yolanda victims in Barangay Baras in Palo, Leyte would be affected by the removal of the bunkhouses.

Cabaljao said Palo politicians are reportedly finding ways to cover up their inefficiency and incompetence in the rehabilitation efforts for Yolanda victims.

She expressed hope that Church leaders would arrange a meeting between representatives of typhoon survivors and the pope during his visit.

“Residents are expressing their desire to meet the Holy Father in person, so that he can see their plight. Unfortunately, those in power are doing their best to deprive the pope of the truth because by doing so they hope to make a good impression,” Cabaljao added.