From the outset, the Order of Augustinian Recollects has felt the catastrophe as its very own. The prior general, Fr. Miguel Miro, sent a message of solidarity to the prior provincial of the Philippines, placing in his disposition the resources of the Order. The Philippine prior provincial himself, Fr. Lauro Larlar, has called on all the communities, parishioners and constituents to pray for the victims and give donations, tasking the Commission of Social and Ecological Concerns to coordinate efforts.
Said Commission immediately started an emergency campaign called Heart anonymous. A native Boholano Recollect was sent as soon as possible to the region to survey the place and organize the aid. On 21 October, for example, the barrio of Carbon in Danao was already accessible to trucks loaded with rice, water and goods. Another Recollect, supported by the association of Sea Knights, was already in Loon on 18 October distributing food, medicine, clothes and other necessities.
In the meantime, Recollect communities in the whole country established a solidarity fund to which all houses and ministries donated cash and collected donations and all kinds of goods for distribution to the victims.
The Order as such, from its headquarters in Rome, has opened a bank account to collect from all over the world funds to help the victims. The General Curia itself has headed the effort by donating a substantial amount, and is inviting all religious, fraternities, sympathizers and persons of good will to send in their contributions. The account details are the following:
Iban IT50X0200805134000101559404
Swift UNCRITM1731
Titular Curia Generalizia. Fondo sociale.
The fifth strongest earthquake in the country’s history
Collection of food for the homeless The quake epicenter was located at the center of Bohol island, in the tourist area of the Chocolate Hills, and affected Central Visayas, especially the islands of Bohol, Cebu and Siquijor. More than 3.4 million people in seven cities in three different provinces have been affected by the seismic activity, the strongest felt in the Philippines in the last 20 years. More than 110,000 persons had to take refuge in the 90 designated evacuation centers in the area.
The earthquake has destroyed more than 34,000 houses and caused damage in the region’s infrastructure, with 24 bridges destroyed and 13 highways cut, hence making the work of rescue teams so much harder.
A total of 17 heritage churches have been damaged. Many of these were constructed by Augustinian Recollects and were listed in the building patrimony of the Philippines. Practically collapsed are the temples of Loon, Dauis, and Loboc, among others; seriously damaged are those of Lila, Loay, Maribojoc and Baclayon. In Cebu City, the minor basilica of Santo Niño, which dates from the 16th century and is considered the oldest monument of the Philippine Church, has also suffered serious damage.
To date, 190 deaths have been reported, a number which could still rise once the rescue teams have accessed all the damaged places.