Church sets up soup kitchen, donation drive for Mayon evacuees
A huge column of ash shoots up to the sky during the eruption of Mayon volcano Monday, Jan. 22, 2018 as seen from Legazpi city, Albay province, around 340 kilometers southeast of Manila, Philippines. The Philippines' most active volcano erupted Monday prompting the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology to raise the alert level to 4 from last week's alert level 3. (AP Photo/Earl Recamunda)
MANILA, Philippines — The Catholic Church has mobilized its social arm to aid the growing number of residents who have evacuated from around Mayon Volcano.
In a statement, Caritas Manila and Radio Veritas said that parishes from the Diocese of Albay tapped their Parish Disaster Response Committees to set up soup kitchens and offer church facilities to provide shelter to the most vulnerable evacuees.
According to the authorities, at least 56,217 people were taking shelter in 46 evacuation camps as of Tuesday.
Rev. Fr. Rex Paul Arjona, Diocese of Legazpi Social Action Center, noted that most of those forced out of their homes are farmers.
"Their lives are disrupted and their means of livelihood suddenly became inaccessible. That is why they need all the help we could give," Arjona added.
SAC Legazpi and Parish Commissions on Social Concerns identified the following as non-food aid immediately needed by evacuees:
- sleeping mats
- mosquito nets
- blankets
- face masks
- hygiene kits
- firewood
The Church is also asking for food, water and additional toilets and communal kitchens.
Cash aid may be made online or through bank deposit:
Account name: Caritas Manila
Banco De Oro - Saving Account No.: 5600-45905
Bank of the Philippine Islands - Savings Account No.: 3063-5357-01
Metrobank - Savings Account No.: 175-3-175069543
For dollar accounts:
Account Name: Caritas Manila
Bank of the Philippine Islands - Savings Account No. 3064-00-33-6
Swift code - BOPIPHMM
Philippine National Bank - Savings Account No. 108566600025
Swift code - PNBMPHMM
Donations can also be made through Cebuana Lhuillier, free of charge, or be dropped off at Caritas Manila office at 2002 Jesus St. Pandacan, Manila or Radio Veritas in West Avenue, corner EDSA, Quezon City.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology has raised Alert Level 4 since Monday. The authorities extended the Danger Zone to 8 kilometers radius of the summit vent.
The authorities strongly advise the public against venturing into designated danger zones and the residents to returning to their homes while the Mayon Volcano continues to spew lava and ash. — Video by Kat Leandicho with AFP
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