By Leslie Ann Aquino
The Diocese of Balanga in Bataan has opened its churches to evacuees after many areas in the province were flooded on Sunday due to torrential rains from the southwest monsoon (Habagat).
Bishop Ruperto Santos of Balanga
(CBCP / MANILA BULLETIN)
“We have opened our churches for evacuees, provided assistance to every parish,” Balanga Bishop Ruperto Santos said in an interview.
In this difficult time, the prelate asked the faithful in his diocese to turn to God.
“We trust God all the most, and He will surely attend to our needs, and predicament and will surpass all these difficulties,” said Santos.
The Balanga prelate also called on the faithful to pray to God for the rains to stop by reciting the “oratio imperata” (mandatory prayer) against calamites.
“With this time we resort to prayers, praying to God that rains stop and good weather prevail,” Santos said.
“This is the time pray together, unified and help one another,” he added.
Aside from Bataan, Lingayen and Dagupan cities were also affected by the rains.
On Sunday, Lingayen Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas appealed for food donations for the evacuees in his archdiocese.
“Caritas Lingayen-Dagupan needs food donations for the evacuees. Our Relief Centre to drop off food donations is ST COLUMBAN College in Lingayen. Let us help one another,” read his appeal posted by the archdiocese in their Facebook page.
“Please pray a rosary for us in Pangasinan to stop the rains and for floods to recede,” said Villegas.
The archdiocese started the recitation of the Oratio Imperata against Calamities, last June 3 and it will end on November 1, 2018, the Solemnity of All Saints.