The Saint Stephen Protomartyr Parish in Ligao City has urged the public to prepare and pray as Typhoon Uwan threatens the Bicol Region.
According to Father Pau Barandon in an interview with Bombo Radyo Legazpi, the parish is praying for safety and asking God to spare Bicol and the rest of the Philippines from the storm’s destructive path.
Father Barandon emphasized the importance of spiritual unity and readiness, encouraging residents to seek divine protection while taking practical steps to secure their families and homes.
He also announced that the church is open to evacuees, although he clarified that only a limited number can be accommodated due to structural limitations.
The parish altar area may serve as temporary shelter, but the church cannot host many evacuees because it has multiple open doorways and grilled entrances that may allow strong winds to enter during the storm.
The appeal comes as PAGASA raised Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 over parts of Bicol and Eastern Visayas, warning of winds between 61 to 120 kilometers per hour within 24 hours.
As of 4:00 AM on November 8, 2025, Typhoon Uwan (international name: Fung-Wong) was located 985 kilometers east of Eastern Visayas, with maximum sustained winds of 130 kph and gusts up to 160 kph.
The storm is moving west-northwestward at 25 kph and is expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) within the day.
PAGASA forecasts landfall over Southern Isabela or Northern Aurora late Sunday or early Monday, with the possibility of reaching super typhoon status by Saturday night.
Church leaders in Legazpi have also coordinated with local disaster response teams to open parish facilities for possible evacuees, especially those in flood-prone and coastal areas.
The call to prayer is part of a broader community effort to maintain calm and unity amid the threat of heavy rainfall, landslides, and storm surges.
Residents are advised to monitor official bulletins and prepare emergency kits, especially in areas under Signal No. 1 and 2.
The church’s proactive stance complements government efforts, including pre-disaster risk assessments and relief stockpiling by agencies such as the DSWD and OCD.