Amid heavy flooding caused by the enhanced Habagat (Southwest Monsoon), various districts of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ) in Luzon, Philippines, immediately extended help and rescue operations through Lingap sa Mamamayan (Care for Humanity) events in August 2026.

In Zambales South District, supervising minister, Brother Rio Constantino, spearheaded the distribution of relief packages at the Castillejos Congregation house of worship compound on August 15.

“Though their families were severely affected, the brethren in this district are filled with immense joy having felt the immediate care coming from the Church Administration, indigenous residents in the area also included,” Brother Constantino attested.

“Our roads turned into rivers as floodwater poured down relentlessly,” shared a resident, Amy Bendon from the Local Congregation of Pili. “Whenever the nearby creek overflows, we [residents] face constant fear of landslides. The rocks start crashing down, and we worry day and night that the ground beneath our homes will give way or the rising waters will swallow our houses completely.”

From the same congregation, Elena Alvaro, an indigenous [Aeta] resident, explained, “It’s incredibly difficult, especially during the rainy season when the waters are deep and navigating boats becomes dangerous. There are times when the boats cannot pass at all, and you have to tie them down securely just to safely disembark.”

Fellow resident Meriam Cabalic, added, “It’s a painful struggle, but we hold on and endure through these trials.”

Meanwhile, in the Ecclesiastical District of San Carlos City, Pangasinan, the humanitarian events were held at five venues, the house of worship compounds of the local congregations of Bayambang, Malasiqui, Mangatarem, San Carlos City, and Sta. Barbara, on August 22.

“At the height of the torrential rains, water levels rose rapidly, causing severe flooding,” narrated Brother Joseph Amarille, district supervising minister. “Following the directives of the Church Administration, we visited the brethren to see firsthand their condition and thereby bring them immediate assistance.”

Melisa Roque, a resident of San Carlos, Pangasinan, shared, “I’m grateful because the aid reached us here. Even though our place is a far-flung village, they still found a way to hand us this help. Thank you so much.”

“I’m deeply thankful to the Church Administration because they never forget us. To God be all the glory,” enthused Ildefonso Pajo, a resident of Mangatarem.

In Tarlac City, Tarlac District, Brother Bhel John A. Ubaldo, district supervising minister, led the giving of relief packages with Brother Mario Roncal, assistant district supervising minister, at the San Isidro Congregation house of worship compound on August 27.

“Residents here were terrified due to massive floodwaters. The dike has been washed out, and the houses are about to be swept away,” shared Artemio Lumibao, a resident of Barangay San Isidro. “I’m incredibly grateful to the brotherhood of the Church Of Christ. May God bless you for your good hearts.”

In the district adjacent to it, the Paniqui, Tarlac District, handing out of relief packages and rescue efforts were likewise conducted on August 15, 17, and 30. There were those who received the packages at the house of worship of the Local Congregation of Camiling, while others who cannot make it there being stranded by the flood were given at their respective houses. Residents in the villages of Baquero, Moncada, and Mabilang, Paniqui were among those rescued.

In the Ecclesiastical District of Quezon City, the Ecopark Congregation led by resident minister, Brother Christian Jezer Estacio, likewise held a Lingap sa Mamamayan event at their house of worship compound on August 29. A total of 20 flood victims rescued and were also among those who received relief packages.

Local congregations of Bagong Silangan, Campsite, Carreon Village, Fairview, Novaliches, Payatas, and Silanganan also handed out relief packages to their neighborhood residents affected by flood. — With reports from Earl Almosara, Jhun Espino, and Rose Peralta