All parish churches in Bulacan province will be placed under ocular inspection by its parish priests in relation to the collapsed incident of a portion of the gallery of St. Peter the Apostle Parish in Tungkong Mangga, City of San Jose Del Monte during a holy mass for Ash Wednesday celebration.
The tragedy caused the death of an 80-year old woman and 53 devotees were reported injured.
On Wednesday afternoon, Bishop Dennis C. Villarojo of the Diocese of Malolos instructed all parish priests in Bulacan to check their parish structures considering that a great number of faithful are coming every year to Lenten celebration.
It was learned that there are a total of 78 parish churches in the province.
At around 7:00 in the morning on February 14, 2024, while a mass was being celebrated for Ash Wednesday, the loaf right side portion of the gallery of St. Peter the Apostle Parish collapsed wherein a parishioner died while more than 50 people sustained injuries and were brought to the hospital for treatment.
Bishop Villarojo in said in his official statement posted in social media, those affected and their families right after the incident were assisted by the Parish Priest, Fr. Romulo Perez and his parochial vicar, Fr. Divino Cayanan, and by the Diocese of Malolos. Officials of the City of San Jose del Monte and the Barangay of Tungkong Mangga who promptly responded to assist the victims.
The City authorities are currently investigating the incident and the parish church is closed until further notice.
Meanwhile, CSJDM Mayor Arthur Robes and his wife Congresswoman Rida Robes aims to help the victims for the medical expenses.
