Scholarship fund for kids of drug war casualties

Cubao Bishop Honesto Ongtioco is creating a scholarship fund for children orphaned by the war on drugs. "I am creating a scholarship fund to finance the schooling of children left orphaned by the victims of these violence," he said in a pastoral letter dated September 15.

Ongtioco said these children will be enrolled in the parochial schools of his diocese.

"Education is our gift to help them secure a more promising future," he said.

The Cubao prelate said those interested to help can bring their donation to their parish or the diocese.

Last September 12, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), led by its president, Lingayen Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas appealed to the faithful to contribute to the support and the schooling of the orphaned children, siblings, families of those killed in the government's campaign against drugs, victims of violence and the war in Marawi.

The CBCP also asked the faithful to offer prayers by reciting the rosary daily for the said victims for 40-days starting September 23 and ending on November 1.

It also appealed for the tolling of church bells at 8 p.m. during the same period in remembrance of the souls of those killed.