Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ) members conducted Care for Humanity events and rescue operations from July 20 to 24, 2025, even on succeeding days, to be of help to their fellowmen afflicted by Severe Tropical Storm Crising and Habagat or southwest monsoon.

“We can’t leave our house. It’s a struggle to get potable water, food, and our other needs. Worse, there’s no electricity,” attested Luz Basco of Brgy. Paticui, Hinigaran, Negros Occidental, Philippines.

After a few days since its landfall, Crising (international name: Wipha) left the country on July 19, Saturday. But it helped intensify the habagat (southwest monsoon) that followed which, as of this writing, continues its onslaught resulting to more damage of properties, landslides, and massive flash floods. These necessitated evacuations, particularly for those living along riverbanks, among other low-lying areas.

According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council report, as of Tuesday (July 22), there were already 362,465 families affected in 2,088 barangays in the country. This major flooding has, so far, claimed six lives, and another six people are still missing.

From dawn until midnight, Society of Communicators and Networkers International (SCAN) officers and members took the lead in rescue operations in various places in Metro Manila. Communicating through Ham radio and using lifeboats, lifevests, improvised flotation devices, ropes, and flashlights, they evacuated residents who were stuck in their houses as continued heavy rain turned floodwaters from knee- to chest-deep and worse at some places.

Meanwhile, supervising ministers of respective districts led the Care for Humanity events. In Quezon City District, supervising minister Brother Virgilio del Rosario Sr. led the handing out of care packages even in evacuation areas.

As there were also flash floods within the district’s jurisdiction, “The SCAN monitored 24/7. They strove reaching all the affected residents who needed rescuing,” Brother del Rosario attested.

The same rescue operations were done by the SCAN in CAMANAVA, Caloocan North, and Marikina Districts for their stranded fellowmen residing near Tullahan River, Camarin Road Bridge, Marikina River, among others. “In our district, many places were submerged, such as the Navotas, Malabon, and Valenzuela areas, and the MacArthur Highway. With the SCAN, we were able to know whom to rescue and aid,” attested district supervising minister Brother Bedan Ubaldo, who led the handing out of care packages not long after the said rescue efforts.

“Before we went to rescue, we had orientation and briefing. First among those we rescued were those whose houses were about to be fully submerged by floodwater. We made sure to evacuate them,” shared Richard Rendon, SCAN member in Tandang Sora-Caloocan Congregation.

In Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental District, Care for Humanity events were held at the house of worship compounds of the Local Congregations of Binalbagan and Sipalay City with district supervising minister Brother Amando Bariring Jr. and assistant district supervising minister Brother Cyrus Sab leading, respectively. Overall, a total of 250 care packages, which contained rice, canned goods, and potable water, were distributed.

“I thank the Executive Minister, Brother Eduardo Manalo, for looking after our welfare,” said Henry Garcia of Binalbagan Congregation. — With reports and photos courtesy of NET25 News and Information and INC News Section