Don Bosco Pasil Affected by Fire

January 14, 2018, Cebu – Philippines. Fire broke out at 12: 26 PM, just about 600 meters where Don Bosco Youth and Training Center, Pasil stood. Barangay (village) Pasil is one of the poorest and heavily populated sections of Cebu City. It took more than two hours for the firefighters to control the conflagration. Fire fighters declared the fire under control by 2:54 p.m. Sunday.

Total (official, minimum) toll of the fire: 3260 persons, 634 families and 283 houses affected (majority completely burnt out). A portion of Don Bosco Youth Training center was damaged – the rooms of some of the Salesians, their private chapel and the roof of the rectory and training center.

The Salesians have been working in this place for about 50 years, administering the Parish of St. Nino (population of 50.000), Youth Center – Oratory, Vocation Training Center and variety of social services to the local population.

The Rector Fr. Lamberto Paradiang SDB together with four other Salesians who were present during the blaze had to evacuate. They took refuge in the building of St. Nino Parish. They are now back supervising relief and assistance efforts to the fire victims and have opened the Youth Center facilities to the families who lost everything.

The SALVO team of Fr. Arvin Abatayo, SDB and the Youth Ministry Commission of the FIS Province under Fr. Joriz Calsa, SDB have started to organize the emergency assistance and have released appeals via social media.

The Salesians of Pasil are grateful for everyone’s prayers and support. The rebuilding of nearby houses and the SDB community will start soon, hopefully also with your help!

Inquiries for donations and assistance can be made through:

Salesian (FIS) Provincial House (+63 32 346 5766)

Fr. Lamberto Paradiang, SDB
Rector of Don Bosco Pasil
Fr. Arvin Abatayo, SDB (+63 943 540 3374)
In-Charge of Salesian Lay Volunteers (SALVO)

Local Financial Assistance can be sent to:

Bank: PNB
Account name: provincial superior of the salesians
Account no: 304070001311

Financial Assistance from out of the country can be sent to:

Beneficiary’s Name: Provincial Superior of the Salesian Society of St. John Bosco, Cebu Province, Inc
Beneficiary’s Address: Dahlia St., Maryville Subdivision, Tigbao, Talamban, Cebu City, Philippines
Dollar Account No.: 003614-0183-04
Euro Account No.: 003614-0183-12
Bank Name: Bank of the Philippine Islands
Bank Address: BPI Cebu Lahug, G/F Maryville Condominium, Gorordo Avenue, Lahug, Cebu City
Bank Swift Code: BOPIPHMM