Good Shepherd Sisters and lay mission partners help victims of Taal Volcano eruption by distributing goods in evacuation centers in Batangas and Cavite.
Sr. Celeste Yuzon, local leader of St. Bridget College community, Sr. Clare Bagot, president of SBC and Ms. Rosanna Bagon of SBC Integrated Basic Education IBED, Ms. Dolores Borras of SBC Senior High School with Ms. Rosalie Aguila SBC Insitutuional Outreach Coordinator led the campaign to gather food, medicine, face mask, bottled water, toiletries, towels, beddings, slippers, underwear for the evacuees. These item were distributed to families in evacuation centers.
They have distributed goods to evacuees in 20 areas in the province of Batangas.
Bridgetines have been tapped to help in soliciting donations in kind or in cash to provide the needs of those affected by the January 12 eruption of Taal Volcano.
Classes in SBC will resume only on January 22.
At Bahay Pastulan store in Sta. Rosa, sisters also welcomed evacuees, mostly families of the staff who were forced to evacuate from their homes in Tagaytay. Sr. Jeva Sumbillo of Maryridge said meals were also prepared for the evacuees. Earlier Sr. Joseph Olaguer gave grocery items to the families.
Sr. Lea Comia and novices Srs. Nina Nino and Cora Arcega, helped distribute goods at the Manghinao Elementary School, Sambat Elementary School and Municipality of San Pascual, initiated by Comia-Rayat families.
Sr. Rivkha Rogacion of Welcome House-Tahanan community also coordinated with Sr. Lilia Torres of SBC in distributing goods to 184 families in evacuation center, the Batangas City South Elementary School.
Sr. Arabella Balingao of Bukid Kabataan Community said the children and residents of the center are fine and stayed indoors most
of the time because of the thick ashfall. Classes were suspended in Cavite.
A day after the eruption, Jan 13, Sr. Arabella said, "our community brought 10 sacks of 50kgs of rice, several boxes of noodles and
clothes to St. Bridget Batangas. Volunteer students packed those goods
for the evacuees. Bukid Kabataan also brought 140 packs of rice, noodles,
sardines to the Imus Social Action and gave some cash donations for Sariaya,
Quezon where some families from Batangas also evacuated. Sr. Zeny Pineda coordinated
the efforts to help the evacuees. Toiletries and personal items, like
undergarments were bought. "
She also offered to Fr. Mike, Vice-Chancellor of Imus Diocese, that the Good Shepherd Sisters can also help in stress-debriefing of evacuees. As of now the diocese is still conducting survey on what would be the other help that the evacuees need.
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The people have been grateful for the help given them. Thanks to our friends and benefactors who continue to reach out to those most in need.
The contemplatives in Tagaytay who have temporarily transferred to Quezon City and the sisters in the different communities have been praying for the safety and protection of the evacuees.
Since January 15, sisters and staff of the Good Shepherd Provincialate in Quezon City, have been praying every 1 p.m. for the safety of the people affected by the Taal Volcano eruption. The prayer was composed by Luis Antonio G. Cardinal Tagle, archbishop of Manila.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) has assured that those in Tagaytay ridge will not be reached should there be a base surge.
Maryridge, Tagaytay is approximately 17.1 km from Taal Volcano.
Latest update as of January 20: Several sisters from SBC Batangas will be moved to Quezon City while the other sisters will remain in Batangas, following the earthquakes that took place January 19.
Read related story: Keeping safe as Taal erupts
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