The Apostolic Vicariate of Taytay in the province of Palawan appealed for help for residents who lost their homes and livelihood to super typhoon “Odette (Rai)” last month.
Bishop Broderick Pabillo said it was the first time that people of Palawan experienced such a disaster that destroyed homes, infrastructures, and sources of living.
He said what people immediately need are “shelter materials” for those who lost their homes.
“The destruction in Palawan, especially in the northern part, was tremendous,” said the bishop in a Radio Veritas 846 broadcast on Thursday, January 13.
Bishop Pabillo said that of the 500 chapels in Palawan, 150 sustained serious damage.
The regions of Mimaropa — composed of Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan — sustained PhP2.36 billion worth of infrastructure damage, according to government data.
The typhoon left 24 fatalities, including 14 deaths in Puerto Princesa City, nine in Roxas, and one in San Vicente, all in the province of Palawan.
About 94,997 families were affected by the typhoon, 23,406 of whom were in Puerto Princesa and the rest from the towns (71,591).