United Church of Christ in the PhilippinesSouth Luzon Jurisdictional Area

Northeast Southern Tagalog Conference

Updated Report on the NESTCON RELIEF OPERATIONS

General Situation:

Most affected areas by Typhoon Ondoy (International name: Ketsana)which struck most of Southern Tagalog provinces in the island of Luzon are the low-lying towns of the provinces of Laguna and Rizal mostly found around Laguna Lake. The six hour rain that fell last September 26, 2009 quickly raised the lake’s water level flooding several towns. Hundreds of residents had to evacuate for safer places to avoid flash floods and landslides. Some are still in need of rescue and evacuation. Hectares of agricultural lands, especially those devoted to rice and cash crops are now submerged in flood waters.

The said areas are within the jurisdiction of the Northeast Southern Tagalog Conference of UCCP. More than 20 local churches (out of 38) including worshipping congregations and outreach areas found along the lakeshores are affected by the calamity.

Local Church Situation and Help Rendered:

Rizal District

Local Church Description Help Rendered1 UCCP San Mateo Experienced 2nd flooding in recent months.

Flood waters reach the roof of the church building. Church properties (pews, chairs, tables, hymns, Bibles, instruments, etc.) are washed out. Most of its members are affected which includes 34 families.

Distributed 65 bags of relief goods

2 UCCP Cainta Church building flooded with mud settling on the 1st floor of the building which is the sanctuary. Properties are washed out, congregation was not able to hold worship on Sunday, number of members affected.

Distributed 120 bags of relief goods

3 UCCP Banaba Flooded and church properties washed out/destroyed. 20 member-families are affected.

Distributed 84 bags of relief goods

4 UCCP Binangonan Portions of the church roof and ceilings gave way due to the heavy downpour.

Distributed 97 bags of relief goods

5 UCCP Pililia The whole town was flooded. Homes and streets are still in inches of mud carried by flood waters coming from the nearby mountains. Church worship materials and instruments are destroyed.

Distributed 132 bags of relief goods

Laguna District 1

Help Rendered6 UCCP Church Among

the Palms' Tadlac Outreach

"Community home along the train rails" are usually affected by strong typhoons. Community built tents on the railroad to serve as temporary shelters.The outreach was supported by the local initiatives of CAP. Relief goods and other support was given immediately, a possible relocation is being arranged by the Church Among the Palms.

Distributed 50 bags of relief goods

7 UCCP Sucol Church building was opened for evacuees Sunday morning. Water level almost reached the level of the church floor. Today around 60 families both church and community members occupy the church,

Distributed 60 bags of relief goods

parsonage and the church run-school and library as temporary shelter. Barangay Sucol is still in waist-deep flood waters.

8 UCCP Calamba Church serves as main center for relief operations where donations are received, repacked and sent to priority areas in Rizal and Laguna

Distributed bags of relief goods

9 Cabuyao (WC) 2 members affected, water entered their houses.

10 UCCP Lingga Very near the lakeshore line, residents flee to evacuation centers. Church building serves as a host to around 70 families.

CEC distributed 70 bags of relief goods

11 UCCP Sta Rosa (Sambahan sa Babay Dagat)

Very near the shore line, pastor's office was reached by flood waters. Around 120 families are affected as reported by the church.

Distributed 120 bags of relief goods

12 UCCP Binan mud and flood waters reach church building as almost the whole town is flooded.

13 UCCP Malaban – Church building is flooded, members are in evacuation areas (St. Francis school) around 70 members are effected, They were not able to conduct worship service because you reach the church through boat.

Distributed 35 bags of relief goods

14 San Pedro Evangelical Church

portions of the town are in flood waters

Laguna District 2:

Local Church Description Help Rendered15 UCCP Mabitac Congregation was not able to convene for

worship. Flood reach waist deep in the town proper. Church was flooded but properties are intact.

Distributed bags of relief goods

16 UCCP Siniloan Church building was not reached by the rising waters, few members were only able to gather for a vesper service. In the morning, the whole town was flooded. The Town center was littered with mud and debris. The church serves as a relief center for Laguna 2 and possible supports coming from NQ.

17 Famy Outreach Whole town submerged in flood waters.We are still awaiting a detailed report on the condition since the town is still flooded and the town is not easily accessible.

Distributed bags of relief goods

18 UCCP Pangil Was unreachable by road from Siniloan because the national road was submerged by flood. Church building was reached by flood water, congregation gathered in prayer in the morning.They gave 6 sacks of rice to the UCCP Siniloan (center) for the distribution to affected areas in Laguna 2 Local church initiated a local relief operation and extended assistance to members affected.

19 UCCP Paete Church building was not affected, from Saturday afternoon till early morning next day served as a refuge center for 115 community members fleeing from possible flash floods and landslides. It continues to support hundreds of evacuees settled in school buildings and serves as a nerve center for NESTCON's relief efforts.

Distributed bags of relief goods

20 UCCP Sta Cruz Town market was flooded to waist deep, church building was not reached by flood waters. A number of members have to move out to safer places during the typhoon. Congregation has began to gather support for seriously affected churches in the district particularly Paete and Mabitac.

Relief Operations

The Community Ministries Committee of the Conference was tasked to assess the typhoon situation and the effects it made on the communities and churches, and also to coordinate efforts already being carried out by the districts through the less-affected locals. It met September 28 afternoon, teleconferencing with NEST Conference Minister Rev. Joel Tendero.

It set up relief centers at:

1. Calamba Evangelical Church - Church serves as main center for relief operations where donations are received, repacked and sent to priority areas in Rizal and Laguna

2. Paete Evangelical Church – served as a refuge center for 115 community members fleeing from possible flash floods and landslides. It continues to support hundreds of evacuees settled in school buildings.

RELIEF BAG ContainsFood:

2 kilos rice2 cans sardines

3 packs instant noodles½ kilo sugar

25 ml instant coffeeClothes:

One set for eachMember

(for a family of 4)

3. UCCP Siniloan Serves as a center for NESTCON's relief efforts, support from NQ Churches will be delivered here.

Aside from relief goods already distributed by able churches, more than 500 bags of relief goods have been distributed in Laguna (Lingga, Sucol, Malaban, Mabitac, Famy and Sta Rosa) and Rizal (San Mateo, Banaba, Cainta and Pililia) from September 38 to October 1.

Committee Members:Rev. Ric Bernadino, chairpersonPastor Beth TenderoPastor Gil SediarinLee Mae DriodocoPastor Berlin Guerrero

Melinda Guerrero, Conference staff

Lingga Memorial Church 1

Pastors visit Calamba evacuation center 1

Young Adults conducts occular inspection 1

Waist-deep waters in Lingga, Calamba 1

Mabitac Town 1

San Mateo UCCP 1

UCCP Pililia, Rizal 1

UCCP Sucol, Calamba 1

Sta Rosa, Laguna 1