By Mark Saludes
PHILIPPINES – A Catholic foundation in Quezon City, a major suburb northeast of the Philippine capital Manila, is currently sheltering 700 people displaced by days of heavy monsoon rains intensified by a tropical depression.
“We are trying to help as many displaced persons as possible. We are able to provide some assistance but many are still in need of help. We encourage everyone, who are able and has the capacity, to extend aid to those who are vulnerable to the impacts of the climate crisis,” said Father Geowen Porcincula, executive director of the Vincentian Foundation.
The Foundation’s Bamboo Housing Community opened its covered court and multipurpose hall on Jul 21 to accommodate evacuees from low-lying areas of Barangay Bagong Silangan, one of the most flood-prone communities in Quezon City.
Initially hosting 650 individuals, the shelter reached full capacity at 700 people from 200 families by Tuesday morning.
The mass evacuation comes as Tropical Depression Dante—the fourth tropical cyclone to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility this year—continues to enhance the southwest monsoon, locally known as habagat.
While Dante is not expected to make landfall, it has triggered intense rainfall and strong winds across Luzon, including Metro Manila. The state weather bureau PAGASA has issued warnings for possible floods and landslides through at least Jul 24.
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