Novaliches parish distributes relief bags to flood-hit residents
By Jel Santos
(PHOTO: STA. LUCIA PARISH FACEBOOK PAGE)
Santa Lucia Parish in Novaliches distributed 150 food bags to residents affected by severe flooding caused by the southwest monsoon or habagat on Wednesday, July 23.
Rev. Fr. Marvin Riquez, the parish priest of Santa Lucia, said each bag contained 10 kilos of rice, canned goods, and medicines for children.
He said the relief effort was funded through the parish calamity fund and donations.
(PHOTO: STA. LUCIA PARISH FACEBOOK PAGE)
The parish has also begun accepting in-kind donations from the public.
According to Fr. Riquez, items may be sent to Santa Lucia Parish, 005 JP Rizal St., Brgy. Sta. Lucia, Novaliches, Quezon City.
(PHOTO: STA. LUCIA PARISH FACEBOOK PAGE)
On July 22, the parish opened its doors to evacuees seeking shelter from the rising floodwaters.
Nearly 200 families, or around 300 individuals, sought refuge inside the church premises.
“Ang Simbahan natin ay nakabukas para sa mga kapatid natin na lumubog ang mga tahanan dahil sa matinding pagbaha (Our church is open to our brothers and sisters whose homes were submerged due to the severe flooding),” the parish said in a Facebook post.
Meanwhile, volunteers from Caritas Manila, the social services and charity arm of the Roman Catholic Church, have also been preparing food bags for communities affected by the floods.
Flooding across Metro Manila and nearby provinces earlier this week forced thousands to evacuate, with many low-lying areas still struggling to recover.