Successive days of heavy rains triggered flash floods, landslides, and extensive damage in Agusan Del Sur, Philippines late January of 2024 prompting government authorities to place the province under a state of calamity (pna.gov.ph).

Aware of the predicament of the residents there, the Church Administration of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ) sent assistance through its Lingap sa Mamamayan (Care for Humanity) program conducted by the leadership of the Ecclesiastical District of Agusan Del Sur on February 15, 2024.

Brother Felix Villabrille Jr., district supervising minister, and Brother Hernani Agias, assistant district supervising minister, led fellow ministers in giving care packages for residents of the towns of Veruela and Bunawan. The activity was held simultaneously at the compound of the houses of worship of the Nueva Era and EGM congregations. The said care packages contained rice, noodles, canned goods, bottled water, among other grocery items, and clothes.

Vergelio Catipay, a recipient said, “I’m thankful to God, and to the Church Administration for this prompt aid due to the calamity that befell us. We now have something to eat and drink for the next few days.”

“In some areas, the floodwater is higher than the houses, while for still others, waist-deep,” shared Romelyn Leonor in Nueva Era (Sardis) Congregation. “I thank the Church Administration for the immediate assistance. It’s a big help for us especially now that our livelihood has been greatly damaged.” – With reports from Athen Greece Marapao of INC News Section