Bible Network News :: Asia Pacific - Rubbish avalanche kills 218 people

Rubbish avalanche kills 218 people

Isabella Calantos / Liason

Collapse of a mountain of garbage kills 218 people and leaves others homeless in Manila.

MANILA, Philippines, Aug. 2000 — At least 218 people were killed when a 15-metre-high mountain of refuse collapsed in Quezon City, part of metropolitan Manila, after days of heavy rain. The rubbish dump is ironically known as Lupang Pangako, "The Promised Land." Thousands of people living in makeshift houses on its slopes make a living by reclaiming recyclable materials from the acres of trash.

The Philippine Bible Society (PBS) began distribution of Scriptures and relief goods in the immediate aftermath of the avalanche, as the authorities and the Red Cross were still trying to retrieve bodies.

Eliza Salazar, a Manila social services worker who handled incoming donations for the evacuees, thanked Bible Society representatives. Mrs. Salazar had to cover her mouth because of the swarms of flies.

Fact Box

The year 2000 marks 101 years of formal Bible work in the Philippines.

Philippine Bible Society distributed 596,232 Bibles and 1,233,224 New Testaments in 1998-99.

Population is 72,600,000, the annual per capita income is US$1,265. Major religions are Roman Catholic 82.9%, Protestant 8.3% and Muslim 4.6%.

"Thank you for giving these people hope," she said. "I'm sure this won't be the last time I hear of the Philippine Bible Society." She first came across the Society while dealing with victims of a fire a few years ago.

While distributing clothing and groceries donated by church partners and individual supporters, the PBS also gave out 500 copies of Bible comics, 400 portions on the theme of God's promises and about 5,000 Scripture selections. They were aided by volunteers from the Philippine Wesleyan Church, based near the site of the dump.

The distribution took place at a three-storey school building which had been turned into an evacuation centre. One room had become a temporary home for as many as 50 families. The evacuees also included orphans and sole survivors from large families, including one of 12 members.

Source: United Bible Societies

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