PNRC aids 5,000 families left homeless by Auring

MANILA, Philippines – Volunteers have evacuated, sheltered, and fed nearly 5,000 families left homeless by Tropical Depression Auring, according to the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) Web site (www.redcross.org.ph). The families came from areas affected by flash floods caused by Auring – namely, Negros Oriental, Bohol, Samar in the Visayas; and Zamboanga del Norte, Iligan, Cagayan de Oro, and Gingoog City in Mindanao. Since Friday, Auring has been causing rains that have led to overflowing rivers, according to PNRC Deputy Secretary General Gwendolyn Pang. Meanwhile, the Church in Cagayan de Oro appealed for help Sunday night for some 30,000 people affected by recent floods, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines said. Cagayan de Oro Social Action Center Director Fr. Jose Cabantan appealed for food, clothing and medicines to help the displaced victims. In an article on the CBCP Web site (www.cbcpnews.com), Cabantan said he had issued the appeal through public service announcements to be read before the end of every Mass. "I have already called on residents to donate and share food, clothes, medicines and other related materials for and on behalf of the flood victims," he said. He said the San Antonio parish under Msgr. Tex Legitimas already responded and sent relief goods to Macasandig, one of the most affected villages in the city. Cagayan de Oro city administrator Criselda Dayon also called for donations in cash or in kind for the flash flood victims. Interested parties may call 857-1192 of the ACCESS office at the Archbishop's House just beside St. Augustine Metropolitan Cathedral or the city administrator at 09189420096. - GMANews.TV