Mati Bishop Abel Apigo has ordered all parishes and Catholic schools in Davao Oriental to stop using their churches and buildings until authorities declare these as structurally safe, following the magnitude 7.6 earthquake that hit the province on Oct. 10.
In a circular issued over the weekend, Apigo said safety must remain the top priority following reports of significant damage to several church and school structures across the diocese.
‘I am directing all the parish priests and parish administrators, especially (in areas) badly hit by the earthquake, not to use the church buildings until we receive clearance from the competent and designated teams from the province, city or municipal office declaring that the buildings are safe,’ Apigo said.
The order also covers all Catholic schools in the diocese, with administrators instructed to ensure that classrooms and other facilities are properly inspected before resuming classes and activities.