“Due to the Church Administration’s fervent desire to look after the brethren’s welfare, immediate assistance was given,” said Ecclesiastical District of Palawan supervising minister Brother Esmeraldo Sibuma.

Brother Sibuma spearheaded the Lingap sa Mamamayan (Care For Humanity) events for fellow Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ) members who have been affected by recent calamities, which were the continuous downfall of heavy rain, landslides, and flash floods caused by the Habagat (southwest monsoon) and the preceding Severe Tropical Storm Crising (international name: Wipha) that enhanced it. The said outreach programs were held first at the houses of worship of the local congregations of Lucbuan and Salvacion, then at that of Puerto Princesa on July 24 and 25, 2025, respectively.

Thousands of care packages, which contained rice, canned goods, among other essentials, were handed out to brethren from all the district’s 17 local congregations, three extensions, and five group worship services, even including the nearby Local Congregation of Bucana of the adjacent district, the Ecclesiastical District of Palawan North.

Families of volunteer rescuers, who are the Society of Communicators and Networkers International (SCAN) officers and members, were among the beneficiaries. On their behalf, district SCAN secretary Kim Bolasa said, “We are happy and grateful. We were not exempt from facing dangerous situations, such as this time of disasters, and so we’re also taken care of.”

Before floodwaters inundated so many houses, “I strove to get our things to a higher ground,” reminisced Juliet Palema from Acacia Congregation. She added regarding the care packages she received, “I thank the Church Administration for this immediate assistance. It’s really a big help.” — With reports from Jonalyn Jiongco of INC News Section