As a potential super typhoon nears, the Diocese of Virac has announced it will open the doors of its parish and mission churches to serve as evacuation centers for residents seeking shelter.
“For generations, our churches have been a place of refuge and safe haven for everyone, regardless of religion,” the diocese said in a social media post.
“In this time of need, we welcome everyone to seek shelter and safety within our walls,” it added.
However, the diocese urged caution, noting that some churches and chapels may not be suitable as evacuation area due to structural concerns or their location in flood-prone and landslide-prone areas.
“The safety of our evacuees is our utmost priority,” it emphasized.
The diocese called on residents to remain vigilant as Typhoon Pepito approaches, and to pray for the protection and strength of all those affected by the storm.
In Eastern Samar province, the Diocese of Borongan has called for prayers as the typhoon moves closer, as it urged the faithful to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions.
The Archdiocese of Caceres in Camarines Sur province also released an “oratio imperata” or obligatory prayer for God “to deliver us from all dangers”.
A tropical cyclone that may develop into a super typhoon as it moves closer to the Philippine landmass, the state weather bureau said Friday afternoon.
PAGASA said Pepito was 465 kilometers east of Guiuan, Eastern Samar as of 5 p.m., packing maximum sustained winds of 150 kilometers per hour and up to 185 kph gusts.
It “will continue to rapidly intensify today through tomorrow and may reach super typhoon category prior to its landfall tomorrow evening or on Sunday early morning,” it warned.
The agency forecast that Pepito is likely to make landfall in Catanduanes, though it cautioned that the storm’s path remains uncertain.
PAGASA did not rule out the possibility of landfall in other areas, including Northern Samar, the eastern coasts of Camarines Sur, Albay, or Sorsogon on Saturday afternoon or evening, or the eastern coasts of Quezon and Aurora on Sunday afternoon.
“Regardless of the landfall point, Pepito will more likely move generally west northwestward over the weekend and pass over or near the landmass of Bicol Region, Quezon, Central Luzon provinces, and Pangasinan,” it said.
Pepito is the Philippines’ 16th tropical cyclone this year, and the fourth for November alone, following Marce (Yinxing), Nika (Toraji), and Ofel (Usagi).
