Tagle calls on parishes to open gates to those affected by floods

The Archbishop of Manila on Sunday called on parishes to open their gates and accommodate those affected by the flooding brought about by the heavy rains over the weekend.

"[I]naanyayahan po ang lahat na patuloy na manalangin para po sa ating mga kapatid na napipinsala at lumapit po sa parokya o kaya po sa mga Diocesan Caritas at Social Action Centers kung kayo po ay nangangailangan ng tulong," Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle said in a statement.

State weather bureau PAGASA hoisted the Orange Rainfall Warning level over four provinces in Luzon on Sunday noon, amid threats of heavy rains from the enhanced Southwest Monsoon (Habagat).

Residents in flood-prone areas in Metro Manila and Rizal were earlier advised to stay prepared for serious flooding due to Tropical Storm Karding, which has since left the Philippine Area of Responsibility.

"Una po sa lahat para sa mga naapektuhan ng ulan, ng baha kayo po ay kasama sa ating mga panalangin ngayon araw ng Linggo, mula pa ho kahapon, kagabi. Ang mga misa at ang mga panalangin ay may kasama na pakiusap sa Panginoon na alagaan ang mga apektado ng masamang panahon," said Tagle.

"At para po naman sa mga handang tumulong at tayo po ay tinatawagan na sa iba’t ibang pamamaraan ay maging handa na tumulong ay maki-contact po sa parokya, sa barangay, sa Caritas at sa mga iba’t ibang Social Action Centers," he added.

According to the Malacañang, it has already released P120-million worth of assistance to families affected by the floods.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. earlier on Sunday said that as of 6:00 a.m., a total of 961 areas were flooded in Regions I, III, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, VI, X, the Cordillera Administrative Region, and the National Capital Region. — Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas/BM, GMA News