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Archbishop Palma calls for unity in earthquake aftermath

THE shipping firm 2GO has offered free shipment of relief goods along with free ride for volunteers and members of the local media to earthquake-stricken Bohol.

Private organizations, civic groups, government agencies, and individuals may now send their relief goods through 2GO shipping, which opened a part of the SuperCat terminal in Pier 4 as drop-in center.

This developed as Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, in a statement issue to the press, has called for unity to meet the challenges brought about by the 7.2 intensity earthquake last October 15, 2013.

“We are one with every person affected by the earthquake, whether Catholic or Protestant, Muslim, Buddhist, even those who do not profess to belong to any organized religion. We all share the same humanity, suffering together.”

“I invoke the guidance of the Holy Spirit so that we will remain strong and steadfast. We will rise together from all this misery,” said the 63-year-old Archbishop Palma who is also the outgoing president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).

This developed as the death toll rose to 173 with over 20,000 families living in evacuation centers in  Bohol. The quake damaged P549.8 million worth of public infrastructure projects in Central Visayas. Nearly 95 percent of the damage are in Bohol, reported the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (NRDDMC).

(Click here for the October 19, 2013 report of the NRDDMC)

Archbishop Palma urged people, including members of the clergy and religious communities, to coordinate with the government and private sectors to assist those in need.“I, therefore, enjoin immediate action to provide ready-to-eat food and clean water for those in Bohol and some parts of Cebu. Let us act quickly.”

Interested parties who want to help may contact the Cebu Caritas Office of the Archdiocese at telephone numbers 2558830/ 2558835.

As of the moment, various relief efforts are being undertaken under different auspices like the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the various Rotary Clubs, the Bangon SugBohol network, and the Bangon Bohol networks.

PRworks Inc. is facilitating the shipment of relief goods from Cagayan de Oro City gathered by the civil society group Balay Mindanao.

Members of the media who wish to cover the aftermath of the earthquake or check on their families and relatives in Bohol will also be given free accommodation in any of the SuperCat’s three scheduled trips daily. Medical volunteers and volunteer groups will likewise be accommodated for free.

“As a good corporate citizen, 2GO cannot ignore the cries for help and the need to get Bohol back on its feet,” said a media advisory.

For complete details and procedures, interested parties may visit the 2GO Relief Drop Off Center. Journalists interested in availing of this service are advised to contact Cathy Porlas and Nancy Omolon of PRworks Vis-Min at tel. nos. 416-7159, 412-2422, 254-1781 or mobile numbers 09177919564; and/or 0917 7919545.

Over a hundred individuals perished due to the earthquake which toppled bridges, roads, and churches in Bohol.

In Cebu, several roads and buildings were also damaged, including the belfry of the 16th century Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño and the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral.

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Cebu-Tagbilaran – 6:30 am, 11 am, 3:30 pm

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Relief effort for Bohol, Cebu continue (Gulfnews.com)

#tabangbohol: Relief goods finally reach isolated towns (Rappler)

New fault system could be cause of 7.2 magnitude quake (Inquirer.net)