TUGUEGARAO CITY — The archbishop of the ecclesiastical diocese of this city has called on civic-spirited villagers here and abroad to extend donations to the victims of Typhoon Ompong, the Philippine News Agency (PNA) learned on Tuesday.
In his circular read to parishioners on Sunday and announced in daily masses, Tuguegarao Archbishop Sergio Utleg described how the typhoon destroyed houses, crops, public buildings and other facilities, mostly in Cagayan province.
“The lashing winds tore down many homes. Its residents are now rendered homeless. The need is urgent. The need is great. We write in their behalf. We appeal for their sakes,” Utleg said.
A risk reduction and management council report said typhoon damages to crops, buildings, houses and other facilities have been estimated at at least PHP4.6 billion.
The archbishop recalled that the people of Cagayan had barely recovered from Typhoon Lawin, which pummeled the province in 2016.
“Barely two years ago, Cagayan and her people were prostrated in the wake of Typhoon Lawin. We prayed hard that never again would such devastation visit us. But Super Typhoon Ompong just ravaged our province,” he said.
Utleg, however, said he believes that Cagayan town folks would “rise again.”
“Please help them believe in the future. Please assure them that there is a loving Father who, in the midst of the woes of his children, comforts them in the hollow of his hands,” the archbishop added, as he called on civic-spirited people to share their resources as the needs of the affected are “overwhelming.”
He described the typhoon as “harsh, merciless, and cruel” but related it to Jesus who came “to transform the harshness of reality into a resplendent manifestation of his love.” (Bill Visaya/PNA)
