Jaro Archdiocese sets 2nd collection for Mindanao earthquake survivors

The Archdiocese of Jaro on Sunday dedicated its second collection to extend assistance to victims of the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Mindanao.

In a circular letter, Jaro Archbishop Midyphil Billones directed parishes under his jurisdiction to remit the collection to the Oeconomus Office on or before Wednesday, June 17.

“We express our solidarity with the victims of the recent earthquake that struck Sarangani Province and other parts of Mindanao,” Billones said.

“We continue to pray for those who have lost loved ones, those who have been injured or displaced, and all those engaged in rescue and relief efforts,” he added.

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has also urged Filipinos to pray for and extend assistance to earthquake victims.

In a statement, CBCP President and Lipa Archbishop Gilbert Garcera called on bishops nationwide to hold a second collection during Sunday Masses on June 14.

Garcera said the proceeds would be coursed through diocesan social action centers and Caritas Philippines to support emergency relief and rehabilitation efforts in affected communities.

Based on its 6 a.m. Saturday report, the Office of Civil Defense said the death toll from the magnitude 7.8 earthquake has reached 61.

The number of missing persons has dropped to 33, while the number of injured has risen to 1,221, as the OCD continues to validate casualty reports.

Search and rescue operations are ongoing, with many still missing in Sarangani and Jose Abad Santos.

Over the past three days, rescue personnel have focused operations on Sarangani Island, Balut Island, and Jose Abad Santos in Davao Occidental, as well as Glan in Sarangani province.

The magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck offshore Maasim, Sarangani at 7:37 a.m. on June 8.

Nearly 4,000 aftershocks had been recorded as of 9 a.m. Friday.

On Saturday, the Department of Energy reported that power supply to hospitals affected by the earthquake had been restored.

Meanwhile, Department of Health (DOH) spokesperson Albert Domingo said hospital operations in Mindanao continue despite the earthquake.

Domingo also reported that one rural health unit and two health stations remain non-operational, but efforts are underway to restore their services.

The DOH has also deployed two Philippine Emergency Medical Assistance Teams (PEMAT) from the Cotabato Regional Medical Center and the Southern Philippines Medical Center to assist medical personnel in Sarangani.—MCG, GMA News