Typhoon Can’t Budge Faith of Catholics in the Philippines

Hagupit, locally known as ‘Ruby,’ ripped through the archipelago’s central belt Dec. 7, with heavy rains and wind that left 21 dead and more than 900 injured.

Caritas volunteers load food packets for typhoon victims.
Caritas volunteers load food packets for typhoon victims. (photo: CNA/Caritas Manila)

MANILA, Philippines — The Church in the Philippines has stepped up around-the-clock rehabilitation and relief measures for the population affected by the country’s most recent typhoon, Hagupit, which struck earlier last month.
Hagupit, locally known as “Ruby,” ripped through the archipelago’s central belt Dec. 7, with heavy rains and wind that left 21 dead and more than 900 injured; thousands of people were displaced on the islands of Samar and Leyte.

“The faith of our people is undeterred, despite these mounting dark clouds and surrounding typhoons,” Gilda Avedillo, program officer for Caritas Manila’s disaster risk reduction and management program, told CNA Dec. 18.

The Philippines continues to recover from the vast destruction and loss of life caused by 2013’s Typhoon Haiyan, which killed more than 7,300 and displaced millions from their homes.

A week before Typhoon Hagupit struck, Radyo Veritas, the local Catholic radio network, was assigned to be the communications arm of Caritas Manila during disaster operations, providing regular updates and assessment reports to Caritas Manila.

Avedillo recounted that Caritas Manila immediately activated its Incident Command System, continuously assessing and monitoring the storm with its volunteers and partners, along with other agencies and diocesan social-action centers, to mitigate disastrous effects; they also dispatched relief kits to the distressed areas.

Several dioceses reported massive flooding in the provinces of Eastern Samar, Northern Samar and Leyte, leading to damage to shelters and crops. Large numbers of people were evacuated and housed in schools and institutions in safer zones.

Archbishop of Socrates Villegas of Lingayen-Dagupan, on Dec. 5, urged all schools and churches to “open their doors to refugees” ahead of the typhoon.

Avedillo recounted that, initially, with the impact of the massive flooding and destruction of roads and communication systems, the agency was impeded in transmitting essential supplies such as food, water, medicine and hygiene kits for those in the evacuation centers in parts of Samar.

According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, some 4.1 million were affected by the storm; 1 million went to evacuation centers; and more than 290,000 homes were damaged or destroyed.

Avedillo explained that Caritas Manila delivered thousands of food-relief packs and scores of first aid and hygiene kits to the distressed areas in 13 dioceses.

Caritas Manila made available resources from its Lenten Campaign and others who were ready to support the needs of the affected communities of Typhoon Ruby.

Avedillo praised Catholic Relief Services, which played a “very important role” for information exchange and has been an extensive partner of Caritas Manila.

The Quiapo Church Disaster Preparedness and Response Ministry (DRRM), a scientific office of the local Church, is closely monitoring prospective natural disasters in the island nation, in collaboration with the government’s other geophysical-science organizations.

DRRM also provides up-to-date text messages to registered users, so that they can make preparations and take safety measures when a disaster is expected, helping to prevent casualties and loss of life.

With the typhoons, the agricultural economy has suffered a terrible loss to coconut and banana plantations, farming and livestock. Rice crops have been swept away; rice is a major staple food of the Filipinos’ diet.

“We keep our faith and prayers, and we move ahead to prepare for the birth of our Savior, Jesus,” Roseryn Kyle, a local youth, told CNA Dec. 19. “We are eagerly waiting and praying for the safety of our Holy Father visiting us.” The Pope will visit the Philippines Jan. 15-19.