The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) encouraged parishes and religious communities to continue with their charitable works even if they are faced with challenges.

“I know that beginning last year, through our parishes and religious communities, we have been helping poor families without much publicity. We are all suffering, but let us again challenge ourselves to continue helping the most needy families in our midst. Let us continue bringing food packs and other forms of assistance to them,” said CBCP president Archbishop Romulo Valles in a statement released on Thursday.

He also expressed support for community-based initiatives that sprouted in many areas in Metro Manila and some parts of the country which aim to help the needy amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

“We are happy to know that in recent days, in true bayanihan (civic unity) spirit, neighborhoods and communities have organized themselves to help needy families, especially with food and other basic necessities,” the Davao prelate said.

On the other hand, Valles urged the people to also help those who were affected by the recent Typhoon Bising which has compounded the suffering of the people amid the pandemic.

“Bp. Jose Colin Bagaforo, our Chairman of the CBCP Episcopal Commission on Social Action, Justice and Peace, has informed me that the staff of the Commission has already initiated bringing assistance to the communities in these areas,” he added.

Meanwhile, the National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) also praised the community pantries that sprung up in many parts of the country.

“The community pantries should be supported and emulated everywhere. I encourage the member churches of the NCCP to either put community pantries in local churches and parishes or to make donations to existing ones in their communities,” Bishop Reuel Norman Marigza, NCCP general secretary, said in a separate statement. (PNA)