The Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas (LAIKO), the lay arm of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), echoed an urgent call to the public to provide help for the victims of the wildfires that broke out on the Hawaiian island of Maui.

In a CBCP statement on Friday, Aug. 25, LAIKO requested assistance for the ongoing relief efforts in Maui, “where Filipinos constitute the second-largest population group.”
“Although there are so many needs that have to be addressed in our own country, we simply cannot look away from the plight of our brothers and sisters,” LAIKO president Rouquel Ponte said.
The active involvement of Filipino Catholics at the Maria Lanakila Parish Church in Maui, where they come to support one another and the local community was highlighted by Ponte.
He also expressed sorrow over the immense scale of damages and number of lives lost as a result of the four-day blaze that started on Aug. 8.
CBCP said donations can be sent to the LAIKO organization’s bank account with the following details: BPI Intramuros/Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas, Inc./4955-8133-62.
Others may also send donations directly to the Maui fire victims by visiting the official website of Maria Lanakila Church. (Rhowen Del Rosario)