Catholic Bishops in the Philippines Call for Divine Intervention Amidst Extreme Heatwave, School Closures, and Agricultural Losses
The Catholic bishops in the Philippines are urging their followers to pray for rain and cooler temperatures as the country experiences an extreme heatwave.
The government has closed tens of thousands of schools due to the heat, and the power supply is being strained by increased demand.
A drought caused by El Nino has ruined 5.9 billion pesos ($103 million) worth of farm produce.
In response, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines has issued a call for special prayers during masses to seek divine intervention for relief from the calamities.
A prayer has been made for relief from the extreme heat and drought conditions in the Philippines, which have caused the closure of over 47,000 schools and affected the lives and livelihoods of many people.
The country has experienced record-breaking temperatures, with Manila reaching 38.8 degrees Celsius (101.8 degrees Fahrenheit) and Mindoro recording a high of 38.2C.
The lack of rain has led to water and power shortages, and the situation continues to impact education as nearly 8,000 schools remain closed.