Malolos bishop orders inspection of Bulacan parishes

Malolos Bishop Dennis Villarojo on Wednesday ordered the inspection of parishes in their area after a portion of the second floor of St. Peter the Apostle Parish in Tungkong Mangga, San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan collapsed.

“I have also instructed all parish priests to check their parish structures considering the great number of faithful coming every year to Lenten celebrations,” Villarojo said in a statement.

The bishop also urged the public to pray for the victims of the incident.

A portion of the second floor of the parish crashed during a 7 a.m. Mass on Ash Wednesday, resulting to one death and 52 injuries.

“We pray for the eternal repose of the faithful departed and we offer our sincere condolences and assurance of assistance to the family,” Villarojo said.

He said the parish church will be closed until further notice.

He said the victims and their families are now receiving assistance from the Diocese, the parish, and the local government.

Investigation on the incident is also being conducted by the city authorities.

According to the parish priest Fr. Romulo Perez, the second floor, which is made wood, was infested with termites.—Jiselle Anne Casucian/AOL, GMA Integrated News