Priest’s rectory for demolition after massive earthquake in Davao Oriental

The rectory or the residence of the priests at San Ignacio De Loyola Parish in Manay, Davao Oriental is now up for demolition due to the damages it had following the massive earthquakes that hit the town offshore. 

According to Emil Sumangil’s report in “24 Oras” on Monday, Fr. Ronie Orelianida said that more or less P8 million would be needed to reconstruct the three-storey rectory. 

“Hindi na po [pwedeng pakinabangan] kasi sabi ng mga engineer, subject for demolition na talaga,” said Orelianida. 

(It can no longer be used because the engineers said it is now subject to demolition.) 

The priests and other personnel of the parish are currently residing in a facility beside the rectory, according to the report. 

But the engineers already cleared the parish and can be used again for Sunday masses. 

“May permiso na pwedeng magdaos dito ng misa, every Sunday kasi safe ito. ‘Yun ang sinabi ng engineers,” the priest said. 

(There is permission to hold mass here, every Sunday because this is safe. That's what the engineers said.) 

The magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck the province in the morning of October 10 did not also spare the Manay National High School. 

More than 1,300 students are currently not attending classes after one of the school buildings was heavily damaged and needs retrofitting. In one of the classrooms, the personal belongings of the students are still there after they ran for their lives last week. 

“Request na lang kami ng MDRR sa munisipyo kung pwedeng sila lang sana yung papasok doon sa loob para makuha yung mga gamit ng mga bata. Kasi nandoon daw yung mga cellphones nila. Nakipag-away na yung mga parents na iba, mga estudyante, sana maintindihan nila kami,” said school principal Gema Francisquete. 

(We're just requesting the MDRR in the municipality, if they could be the only ones to go inside to retrieve the student's belongings. Because their cellphones are reportedly in there. Some parents and students have been complaining to us, we hope they can understand us.) 

In Barangay San Ignacio, a few houses at the foot of the mountain were almost crushed by a large boulder. 

The local office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources was also damaged by the earthquake. 

“Yung isang building namin, sa admin building namin, hindi na operational,” said Edgar Saan, DENR-CENRO enforcement and monitoring section chief. 

(One of our buildings, our admin building, is no longer operational.) — Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA Integrated News