NCCP Appeal for Typhoon Victims

The Emergency Situation

Typhoons Pedring (Nesat) and Quiel (Nalgae) wrecked havoc in most part of Luzon from September 24.  Typhoon Pedring entered the Philippine area of responsibility in September 24, 2011, exited three days after it ravaged the agricultural provinces of Isabela and Aurora in Northern Luzon; the provinces of Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac and Bulacan in Central Luzon; the provinces of Catanduanes and Albay, including Legaspi City in the southern part Bicol Region; and affected thousands of families in the 17 cities and municipalities in Metro Manila, especially those living in low-lying and flood-prone areas.

Two days after Typhoon Pedring left the country many parts of the provinces of Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac and Nueva Ecija were submerged in between 3 feet and ten feet floodwater – with the town of Calumpit in Bulacan most severely flooded.  Thousands of families were trapped and forced to stay on their roofs as floodwater continue to rise.  Further complicating the situation left by Pedring, Typhoon Quiel came and brought in heavy rains and badly affected provinces in Northern and Central Luzon.

To date, many barangays  are still flooded in Isabela, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija and Bulacan.

Impact of the Typhoons

• 1,183,530 families or 5,534,410 persons were affected in 3,252 barangays in 349 municipalities, 41 cities in the 34 provinces of Regions I, II, III, IV-A, IV-B, and V, CAR, NCR and Region VI.
• 55 individuals died
• 30 missing
• 7,540 totally damaged houses
• 41,224 partially damaged houses
• PhP 8.8 billion – Damage to agriculture and infrastructure

APPEAL

volunteers preparing relief goods for the affected families

Relief and rehabilitation work is part of NCCP work and ministry.  We appeal to your heart of hearts to help alleviate the suffering of those affected by the consecutive typhoons.  You may deposit your donation to the following accounts:

Account Name:  National Council of Churches in the Philippines
Name of Bank:   Bank of the Philippine Islands (Quezon City West Triangle Branch)
Peso Account:  3051-0063-04
Dollar Account: 3054-0162-89

Donations in kind are also accepted.  The following in the list are most and urgently needed:

• Food & bottled water
• clothes
• medicines
• toiletries:  bath soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, face towel, laundry soap
• sleeping mats, blankets,  mosquito nets
• cooking utensils, plates, spoons, cups
• plastic water containers
• plastic sheets or canvas tent

You may bring your donations to 879 EDSA, West Triangle, QC.  Or you may call us at 922-8141 to pick up your donations (within NCR only).

May God bless your kindness tenfold.

credits: text from NCCP website, photo by imileto

NCCP three days after Typhoon Nesat (Pedring)

Work must go on no matter what.  Service to the people must not stop.  Scenes at the Council three days after typhoon Pedring wreaked havok in the country.  Still no electricity pending the replacement of the busted transformer outside the compound gate.

Staff in the dark Library compiling data of typhoon Nesat's damage

working by candle light

The darkness and heat won't stop this General Convention Committee members from accomplishing their tasks.

Typhoon NESAT (Pedring) aftermath at NCCP

It's back to work for most.

commuters lining up to ride the MRT at the North Ave station

At the National Council of Churches in the Philippines compound, its clean-up day.

Almond, Oblay and Jhun sweeping the leaf litter

Nanie (left) helping out. Government workers (top right) hauling the trash. Even the guard (bottom right) is doing his share in the clean-up

Unlike most of the Metro and the rest of the country, the Council was spared heavy damage needing only minor building repair.  As of this writing, power is still cut off due to a huge tree branch that fell on the electrical wires causing the transformer outside the gate to trip and explode.

(top and bottom photo) damage to the third and second floor window of the main building

tree that broke one of its main branch (top left of photo) causing the power failure in the area

front view of the main building

I am thankful that Typhoon NESAT (Pedring) spared the Council from damage.  Still, the country is suffering from the destruction brought by strong winds and floods.  I encourage everyone to pray for the victims of this latest tragedy and if you are able, please do help through the many institutions and organizations helping those in need.  You can also contact the Council at (0632) 922 8141 for info regarding its Relief and Rehabilitation efforts. - the library staff