CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, January 15, 2009—Archbishop Antonio J. Ledesma, S.J., D.D. has called on the Catholic community to show their faith by extending a helping hand to the victims of massive flooding in this city and Misamis Oriental province.

Ledesma said that helping the victims displaced by massive flooding that engulfed this city on January 3 and again on January 11 is a show of unity with them.

"We are all in this together. Giving of ourselves and our resources to the flood victims is a show of community. As Christians, we are called to extend a helping hand to our brothers and sisters in their time of need,” he said in an interview.

The Jesuit prelate, whose official residence is located on the bank of the Cagayan de Oro River, said that times of tragedy usually bring to the surface a person’s true “Christian-hood.”
He said Catholics unaffected by the tragedy must now “look outward” and put into action their faith.

"In a sense, this also means that we should be looking outward and help the immediate needs of our brothers and sisters regardless of whether they are Christians or of other cultural groups,” he said.

"In times like these that we are challenge to show our unity as one Christian community and share whatever resources we have to those who are affected,” he added.

Ledesma said the Archdiocese has mobilized relief operations in the parishes.

"We are leaving it out to the parishes to direct the help/aid and assistance given to the affected families. I’m glad that these parishes have also mobilized their own aid teams,” he said.

Fr. Jose Cabantan, director of the Social Action Center, also appealed for food, clothing and medicines for the victims.

Cabantan said that he has already issued an appeal through public service announcement that should be read before the end of every Mass.

"I have already called on residents to donate and share food, clothes and medicines and other related materials for and in behalf of the victims,” he said.

The flashflood here on January 3, the very first in this city’s history, displaced thousands of families and individuals.

And just when the flashflood’s victims started to pick the pieces of their broken homes, another flood hit the city starting Sunday (January 11) due to the tail-end of a cold front which brought strong winds and rains that continue to affect this city, Misamis Oriental province, some parts of Eastern Mindanao, the Visayas and also the whole of the Bicol Region, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.

The heavy rains in this city, 775 kilometers southeast of Manila, caused massive flooding not only here but also in 12 towns of Misamis Oriental province.

The tail-end of the cold front, aside from causing rains, also cast massive clouds over the city, prompting the cancellation of passenger flights from Manila and Cebu due to zero visibility at the Lumbia, Cagayan de Oro City Airport.

On board Cebu Pacific Air flight 5J 383 in Manila Sunday, a collective sigh of uncertainty and disbelief emanated from the passengers bound for this city following the announcement of the flight’s cancellation.

Later, when the pilot announced the cause of the cancellation, several passengers were overheard whispering prayers of thanks for the airline’s common sense of not taking the risk of continuing with the flight despite very bad weather condition in the destination—Cagayan de Oro City.

Other passengers were clearly disappointed but later on accepted the decision of the airline. (This reporter was among the passengers stranded at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport [NAIA] Terminal 3 when the Cebu Pacific Air flight 5J 383 was cancelled Sunday morning.)
While Cebu Pacific Air’s passengers’ accepted their plight, several residents of Cagayan de Oro cried to high heavens for their “bad luck.”

"Unsa man intawon ang sala nako nga nahitabo man kini sa among pamilya? (What have I done wrong that this happened to my family?) Edwin Sumahan said.

Sumahan was among those who were badly affected by the January 3 flashfloods that engulfed Isla Delta, a piece of land right smack in the middle of the Cagayan de Oro River.
Another resident of Isla Bugnaw, Zenaida Emiliano just gritted her teeth as she prepared to evacuate for the second time in two weeks last Sunday.

With flood waters slowly rising, Emiliano looked up into heaven in silent pleading to spare her. Nevertheless, commonsense took over and she evacuated her family to a safer place.
"Bag-ohay pa lang gud mi kabalik sa among balay. Wala na gud mi mangatulog kagabii kay dili na man ga-undang and ulan. (We just returned home. We did not sleep last night due to incessant rains),” she said. (Bong D. Fabe - CBCP NEws)