
Incessant rains recently resulted to flooding and submerged many houses in General Santos City, Soccsksargen, Philippines, in waist-deep waters.
“We couldn’t go outside, the floodwater was so deep and its current strong. It even flooded our house,” said Sister Vilma Maranguit from the Local Congregation of Buayan. “We were so nervous because the floodwater rose very high, even exceeding our bridge. We were stranded and so we ran out of rice and potable water,” added Sister Emily Calibay from the Local Congregation of Baluan.
On May 20, 2021, the very next day after the flood subsided, the Ecclesiastical District of General Santos City, South Cotabato responded by conducting Lingap sa Mamamayan or Aid to Humanity. The outreach activity was conducted in various local congregations throughout the district. Volunteer brethren, led by their resident ministers or ministerial workers, brought to affected neighborhoods food packs, which contained rice and canned goods, among others. Even nonmembers benefited from the activity.
Mary Grace Lenihan, doctrinal instructee, said, “I am very delighted that even though I am not yet baptized inside the Church but I was included among the recipients. I thank the Church Administration for this great help to us.”
“The brethren were so thankful for the urgent aid of the Church Administration. This just further shows their magnanimity, attending to the brethren’s spiritual and material needs,” said Brother Dave Jayson Jumamoy, resident ministerial worker of the Local Congregation of Buayan.
Brother Billy Jay Pascua, resident ministerial worker of the Local Congregation of Baluan, said, “Situations like this do not dampen the brethren’s desire to uphold their worship and services to God. Be it a pandemic crisis or calamity, they are not hindered.” On behalf of the congregation, he added, “I thank the Executive Minister, Brother Eduardo V. Manalo, for his continuous love and concern.” — With reports from INC News Section