Bacolod Bishop Vicente Navarra yesterday reiterated his call for donations in cash and kind for the victims of the Ginsaugon tragedy in Southern Leyte.

The bishop said that while the search for close to 2,000 people buried beneath the mud continues, the tragedy is worse for the residents of Ginsaugon who survived the landslide as they continue to suffer the pain of the loss of their loved ones, their homes and their livelihoods.

Many of them had relied on farming for their livelihood, he pointed out.

A major issue here is the abuse of our environment, and the systematic destruction of forests that triggers such tragedies, Navarra said.

Along with prayers for the people of Ginsaugon, the bishop said as a sign of oneness with Christ people should do their share to show that they feel for the suffering of their fellowmen.

The bishop issued the call in Circular Letter 2006-03 sent to all parish priests, parochial vicars, chaplains and rectors of churches, superiors of seminaries, religious congregations, secular institutes and apostolic life, heads of schools and lay associations and the Christian faithful of the Diocese of Bacolod

He said all donations can be sent to the Diocesean Social Action Center at the Bishop's House at Rizal Street, Bacolod City, and those with queries may call 434-49-78.

Meanwhile, the Philippine National Red Cross yesterday shipped to Leyte assistance collected from Negros for the Guinsaugon survivors, Edyll Tan said .*CPG

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