MANILA (UCAN): On July 28, CBCP News reported that Caritas Philippines launched an appeal to provide vital relief to people affected by the magnitude 7 earthquake that struck the northern Philippines on July 27, killing at least four people.
The “Alay Kapwa para sa Northern Luzon” fund drive aims to support efforts in addressing the immediate needs of the people after the tremor, leaving wide destruction.
Caritas said it had already deployed emergency teams “to further assess the damaged communities, and see how the Catholic Church can best respond to the most urgent needs,” CBCP News reported.
The the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said that the quake occurred at 8.43am local time. The epicentre was located in the town of Tayum, the province of Abra, and triggered landslides and power interruptions in more than 10 cities and almost 300 towns in the region.
The tremor affected the Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos Region, and Cagayan Valley.
CBCP News reported that cash donations may be deposited in its Metrobank account to: CBCP Caritas Filipinas Foundation Inc., account number 632-7-632-02719-9. GCash donations, can be sent to +639152094092
The Archdiocese of Tuguegarao in Cagayan, also appealed for aid on July 27 after homes were destroyed or damaged, and churches and historical sites were damaged, UCAN reported.
Landslides were also recorded in Baguio City rendering major roads impassable, while tremors were felt in parts of Metro Manila, ABS-CBN reported the National Disaster and Risk Reduction and Managment Council [NDRRMC] as saying on July 29 .
Patients had to be evacuated from a local hospital during the earthquake due to fear the building would collapse.
“We ordered the evacuation because we thought our roof would fall in. Nurses had orders to remove as many patients as they could. But we had difficulty with those who were bedridden with medical equipment. I hope this will not happen again,” said a doctor who wished to remain anonymous.
As we celebrate the 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines. The Chaplaincy to Filipino Migrants organises an on-line talk every Tuesday at 9.00pm. You can join us at:
https://www.Facebook.com/CFM-Gifted-to-give-101039001847033
Parishioners in the region who lost their homes also begged for aid.
We ordered the evacuation because we thought our roof would fall in. Nurses had orders to remove as many patients as they could. But we had difficulty with those who were bedridden with medical equipment. I hope this will not happen again
The number of schools damaged rose to 164 as at July 29, according to the Department of Education ABS-CBN reported.
The NDRRMC said on July 29 that 79,263 had been affected, 1,622 families in 26 evacuation centres and around 1,512 individuals camping outside their homes.
Father Ranhilio Aquino of Tuguegerao described the quake as “very strong and prolonged.”
“The damage tells the story of a monster quake—Narvacan Church in Vigan, Ilocos Sur, its belfry was damaged by the earthquake,” Father Aquino wrote on Facebook. The church, built by the Augustinians in 1587, is a famed tourist spot in the region, UCAN reported.
The archdiocese reported, “Several of our churches sustained damage from the earthquake which was also felt in several provinces here in northern Luzon. Our belfry fell because of the tremors. We appeal for aid to help us rebuild them, especially our hospital infrastructure and equipment.”
CBCP News reported that cash donations may be deposited in its Metrobank account to: CBCP Caritas Filipinas Foundation Inc. and account number 632-7-632-02719-9.
GCash donations, can be sent to +639152094092.
