Archbishop Alberto Uy of Cebu appealed for prayers and urgent support after the Archdiocesan Shrine and Parish of Sta. Rosa de Lima in Daanbantayan was heavily damaged by the 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck Cebu on September 30.
In a recorded message, Uy said he was grateful that no lives were lost in Daanbantayan, though the devastation to the centuries-old shrine reflected the scale of destruction across the province.
The Office of Civil Defence earlier confirmed 69 fatalities, with at least 150 people injured and an undetermined number missing.
The prelate said he has instructed parish priests across the archdiocese to begin raising funds and in-kind donations for survivors. He urged unaffected parishes to “adopt” quake-hit parishes to ensure immediate relief and assistance.
“We are thankful that in this area, there were no lives lost compared to other parts of Cebu, where a lot of lives were lost. But in this place our church has been greatly damaged,” he said.
Uy called on the faithful to respond through prayer, visitation, and material support, assuring survivors that “God is with us.” – with reports from Charlie Saceda
