MANILA, Philippines - Church officials in quake-devastated Bohol are planning to build a housing project for the tens of thousands of residents whose homes have been destroyed by the powerful temblor last Oct. 15.
In an interview with Church-run Radyo Veritas, Tagbilaran Bishop Leonardo Medroso said on Wednesday that they met with all the priests, religious congregations and groups, different lay organizations in the Diocese to discuss how to help the victims of the calamity.
"We are also planning and asking our benefactors for the housing of the people which dislocated from their homes because of the change of atmosphere, the change of locations and the change of places where they came from. We are going to build a housing community for the victims thru the help of our partners and benefactors," Medroso said.
To address the problem in the meantime, the prelate said Church officials are also asking the benefactors of the Diocese of Tagbilaran to donate some tents for temporary shelters of the families displaced by the quake.
"We talk on how we can give shelters to the people. That’s why we have been asking our benefactors to supply us tents so that people can stay in open spaces because they are afraid of the aftershocks," Medroso added.
He said their benefactors also assured them of a large tent where they could held liturgical masses and religious celebrations to address the spiritual needs of the quake victims.
"We have to go out and help them out because many places in the province are isolated from the main source of commerce. Walang mabibilhan ng pangunahing pangangailangan. In spite of limited resources thanks be to God we have the outpourings of so many benefactors from outside the Diocese," Bishop Medroso said.
The prelate also appealed to the government and private sector for medical personnel, such as physicians and nurses, to help the victims who have gone sick due to lack of medicines.
"We still need food, water,medicines at nangangailangan pa kami ng malaking tulong dahil maraming parishes ang isolated from the main source of commerce. I hope our benefactors continue helping us," he said.