By Christina Hermoso
Caritas Manila, the social action arm of the Archdiocese of Manila, plans to build more typhoon-proof three-in-one chapels following the onslaught of typhoon ‘Ompong.’
Rev. Father Anton CT Pascual-President Radio Veritas/Exec. Director Caritas Manila (Manila Bulletin)
Rev. Fr. Anton Pascual, executive director of Caritas Manila and Radio Veritas president, said the typhoon-proof thee-in-one (meaning the structure can be used as a church, training and evacuation center) came about after the massive destruction caused by super typhoon ‘Yolanda’ in 2013.
“There are now 74 three-in-one chapels in Leyte and Samar. These structures are sturdy and had been tested after typhoon ‘Sendong’ hit the Visayas. The chapels, which were built with a comfort room, can withstand strong winds of up to 250 kilometers per hour (kph) and can serve as evacuation centers. We want to replicate this in the other provinces,” Pascual said over Church-run Radio Veritas.
“During the fury of typhoon ‘Ompong,’ several churches in Northern Luzon were destroyed including St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Gattaran, Cagayan,” Pascual said.
“Caritas Manila has also built a large warehouse, training center, ambulance, and has developed a 40 ft. container van in Tagum, Davao del Norte that can be used for rescue operations during calamities. It can go anywhere in Mindanao. It has a mobile clinic, and an office. We want to position another one of such in the Visayas,” he said.
Meanwhile, Pascual continues to call on kind-hearted individuals to help the calamity survivors in areas affected by typhoon ‘Ompong.