Caritas Manila, in partnership with Radio Veritas 846, will conduct this year’s Alay Kapwa Telethon on Holy Monday, April 10, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., to raise awareness and funds for Caritas Damayan, the preventive-health and disaster-management program of Caritas Manila.
The Philippines ranked fourth among the most disaster-prone countries in the world, with a total of 274 disasters hitting the country over the past 20 years, according to a study conducted by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction. It is also recorded that the Philippines is among the top 10 countries with the highest number of affected people—with 130 million.
Caritas Manila responds to help many affected people through Caritas Damayan. It provides emergency-relief assistance and humanitarian aid to victims. It also educates, conducts predisaster trainings and helps in the restoration and rebuilding of communities.
In 2016 Alay Kapwa funds were used in Caritas Damayan’s relief operations to help those affected by Typhoon Lawin in the archdioceses of Tuguegarao, Ilagan, Laoag and the Apostolic Vicariate of Tabuk; the victims of fire in the Archdiocese of Manila and the Diocese of Kalookan; and provide relief assistance to lumads in the dioceses of Tandag, Lipa and Legaspi. Caritas Damayan also extended financial assistance to the victims of Typhoon Ferdie at the Prelature of Batanes, and for the rehabilitation in the El Niño-stricken dioceses of Maasin, Cotabato and Gumaca.
The theme of this year’s telethon is “Alay Kapwa as Communion of Communities”. In his pastoral letter, His Eminence Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio G. Cardinal Tagle, DD, is appealing to everyone to continue the works of mercy by supporting Alay Kapwa 2017.
“Once again, we appeal to you my brothers and sisters to support Alay Kapwa. Let us continue to keep wide open the door of mercy of our hearts and traverse the path of charity with fidelity and joy [cf. Misericordia et misera 16]. Through Alay Kapwa, let us continue the work of mercy,” Cardinal Tagle added.
Listeners can participate and donate in the telethon by calling 925-7931 to 39, 563-9311 or 254-5519, 562-4269. Phone lines will be open throughout the live broadcast on Radio Veritas 846 and also via live streaming at www.veritas846.ph.
Donations can be made online via https://ushare.unionbankph.com/caritas/ or by bank deposit:
- Banco de Oro—Savings Account No.: 5600-45905
- Bank of the Philippine Islands—Savings Account No.: 3063-5357-01
- Metrobank—Savings Account No.: 175-3-17506954-3
For dollar accounts:
- Bank of the Philippine Islands – Savings Account No.: 3064-0033-55
- Swift Code—BOPIPHMM
- Philippine National Bank—
Savings Account No. 10-856-660002-5 - Swift Code—PNBMPHMM
To know more about Caritas Manila, visit www.caritasmanila.org.ph or call our DonorCare lines at 563-9311, 564-0205, 0999-7943455, 0905-4285001 or 0929-8343857. Make it a habit to listen to Radio Veritas 846 in the AM band, or through live streaming at www.veritas846.ph. For comments, e-mail veritas846pr@gmail.com.