More 3-in-1 typhoon resistant chapels eyed

Caritas Manila, the social action arm of the Archdiocese of Manila, is planning to build more typhoon-proof three-in-one chapels following the onslaught of Typhoon Ompong.

Rev. Fr. Anton Pascual, executive director of Caritas Manila and Radio Veritas president said the typhoon-proof three-in-one structure (church, training and evacuation center) came about after the massive destruction caused by super-typhoon Yolanda in 2013.

“There are now 74 three-in-one chapels in Leyte and Samar. These structures are sturdy and had been tested after typhoon ‘Sendong’ hit the Visayas. The chapels, with a comfort room, can withstand strong winds of up to 250 kph and can serve as evacuation centers. We want to replicate this in the other provinces,” Pascual said over Church-run Radio Veritas.

“During the fury of typhoon Ompong, several churches in Northern Luzon were severely damaged, including St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Gattaran, Cagayan,” Pascual said.

“Caritas Manila has also built a large warehouse, training center, ambulance, and has developed a 40 ft. container van in Tagum, Davao del Norte that can be used for rescue operations during calamities. It can go anywhere in Mindanao. It has a mobile clinic, and an office. We want to position another one in the Visayas,” he said.

Meanwhile, Pascual continues to call on kind-hearted individuals to help the calamity survivors in areas affected by typhoon Ompong.