The updated but provisional figures provided by the Government give the number of victims of the flooding as 240, including 30 missing presumed dead. Because of the large number of places destroyed or under water following the rains, the number of displaced people is very high, about 500,000, of whom 115,000 are in first aid centres.
The Salesian presence in the Philippines has also been hit by Ketsana: the various Salesian centres in Manila, Mandaluyong, Makati and Parañaque, areas most affected by the flooding have all been under water at least as far as the first floor. In particular, the “St John Bosco” Technical College in Mandaluyong has experienced hours of disquiet. Although it is situated in the west of the city where the storm has caused less damage, many of the students come from eastern parts of Manila, poorer and more seriously damaged by the floods.
Fr Martin Macasaet, Rector of the “St John Bosco” College because of the black out and the difficulties with communication caused by Ketsana, until Monday evening had not been able to get any news about the situation of the 392 students of the Institute. Concern has also been expressed by Sr Mel David, a Daughter of Mary Help of Christians, now in Mongolia, about her mother living in Pasig, a small place completely covered by the flood waters.
The Salesian community in the Philippines is now assisting the authorities in organising aid: at Mandaluyong the “Saint Dominic Savio” parish, already normally engaged in social assistance, has become a temporary shelter and has welcomed a large number of displaced people. The “Mary Help of Christians“ studentate in Parañaque, in response to the emergency has suspended lectures and become a refuge centre. The Youth Ministry Team of the North Philippines Province (FIN) is helping to coordinate relief efforts making various Salesian centres available. The centre in Manila-Tondo, situated on the west coast has suffered little damage and is helping the other Salesian centres.
In the present circumstances the Sons of Don Bosco are certainly making a significant contribution given that also in some of the relief centres set up by the Government drinking water and medicines are in short supply. They are responding to the appeals by the authorities for water, food, medicine, and medical volunteers.
Published 29/09/2009
