Support of Catholic Church sought by typhoon survivors

By People Surge
April 8, 2014

TACLOBAN CITY – The People Surge alliance for Typhoon Yolanda survivors will call on Archbishop of Manila Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle today to seek the blessings of the Catholic Church for their struggle for justice.

“We feel that the Aquino government has let the people down, there are many who continue to suffer five months after the calamity, and the government’s reconstruction program is inherently anti-poor,” said Sr. Edita Eslopor, People Surge spokesperson. “So this Holy Week we are seeking the blessings of the Catholic Church for the Yolanda survivors who suffer like Christ, as well as its moral suasion to remind the Aquino government of its obligations to the poor and downtrodden.”

The People Surge spokesperson added Bishop Deogracias Iniguez will celebrate the mass at Quiapo Church for the Yolanda survivors, after which a solidarity lunch and program will be held at the historic Plaza Miranda. “The survivors and their supporters will then hold a Senakulo procession in line with the Holy Week. This will dramatize the sufferings of the Yolanda survivors under the Aquino administration and the “Gang of Five.” The “Gang of Five” is President Aquino and his officials Interior Sec. Manuel Roxas, Social Welfare Sec. Corazon Soliman, Reconstruction Sec. Panfilo Lacson and Energy Sec. Jericho Petilla.

“During the procession, a Yolanda survivor will carry a large yellow cross while being hit with huge masks representing the “Gang of Five.” The huge yellow cross represents the burden being suffered by the Yolanda survivors which is the Aquino government and its anti-poor policies. Hundreds of protesters will also carry small crucifixes during the procession to remind Pres. Aquino of his criminal negligence to the Yolanda victims.”