THE SANTISIMO Rosario Parish has recently extended humanitarian aid to victims of natural calamities in China and Sta. Cruz, Zambales, through food and cash donations.
The relief package consisted of more than 10 sacks of rice and other food supplies like instant noodles aside from P24,000 in donations which Santisimo Rosario parish, headed by Fr. Jaime Alamillo, O.P., had distributed among the affected families in China and Zambales.
“Aside from the collected amount, some people still gave monetary donations,” Alamillo told the Varsitarian. “All donations were sent within the first week of June.”
The charity project came at the heels of a 7.9 magnitude earthquake that struck Sichuan province at the southwestern part of China last May 12 and killed about 69,000 people. A few days after, typhoon “Cosme” battered Pangasinan and Zambales, placing the two provinces in a state of calamity.
Both events damaged infrastructures, curbed basic necessities, and displaced many families, prompting Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales to direct parishes to request donations for the earthquake victims in China.
The parish subsequently begun a separate relief project for typhoon victims in Zambales.
Announcements for collection of donations in kind or cash were made in every mass held from May 25 to June 1. The overwhelming collection turnout for the victims in China was immediately coursed through the Archdiocese of Manila. Three Santisimo parish staff members personally went to Zambales to deliver the relief goods for typhoon victims.
“We conduct these operations because we know that even though our resources are limited, the people are always willing to help and give out anything they can,” Alamillo said.
