All parishes and Catholic schools in Davao Oriental were ordered to stop using their churches and buildings until authorities declare them structurally safe following the magnitude 7.4 and 6.8 earthquakes that struck Oct. 10.
In a circular issued Saturday, Bishop Abel Apigo of Mati said safety is the top priority.
“I am directing all the parish priests and parish administrators, especially those that were badly hit by the earthquake, not to use the church buildings until we receive clearance from the competent and designated team from the province, city or municipal office declaring that the buildings are safe,” Apigo said in a news release posted by CBCP (Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines) News.
The directive covers all Catholic schools in the diocese while administrators were instructed to ensure that classrooms and other facilities are properly inspected before resuming classes and activities.
Apigo, however, authorized parish priests and administrators to decide where to celebrate Masses “in a dignified manner.”
“The Holy Eucharist is our strength and so let us celebrate it with passion. St. Paul reminds us [to] ‘persevere in prayer’,” he said.
Apigo urged the faithful to “hang on to our faith in God” and to “be constant and firm” as they recover from the devastation.
On Saturday, Cabinet officials were briefed on the extent of damage caused by the doublet earthquake.
Mindanao Development Authority Secretary Leo Tereso Magno, Education Secretary Sonny Edgardo Angara, Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon and Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian met with members of disaster response agencies and provincial government officials, led by Governor Nelson Dayanghirang and Mayor Joel Almario, at Subangan Tourism Complex in Mati.
The discussions focused on the areas most affected by the quake, including infrastructure, education facilities and community settlements.
