Dumaguete diocese sets 'Day of Prayer,' asks for more assistance for Typhoon Odette victims

Dumaguete Bishop Julito Cortes has directed parishes and chaplaincies to hold Masses on Jan. 24, Monday, for those who have died due to the onslaught of Typhoon Odette last month, according to a post on the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) website.

The Masses, the bishop said, is an "expression of love and solidarity" to the families of the victims.

“Let us also take this opportunity to offer our communal prayers for those persons still missing as well as for all affected families and communities,” Cortes said.

The CBCP post cites the report of local authorities that at least 77 individuals have died while 14 are missing.

The families of the victims are encouraged to attend the 6 a.m. Mass in their parishes as well as the submit the names of their loved ones.

Bishop Cortes, meanwhile, also asked for more help for the typhoon victims.

Fr. Hendrix Alar, of the Diocese of Dumaguete Typhoon Odette response team, reported that 19,804 houses were destroyed while 77,369 houses were partially damaged.

Alar said that at least 25,997 families have been given relief packs and other form of assistance. -- BAP, GMA News