Archbishop Martin Jumoad of Ozamis has called for prayers and help for the people affected by floods triggered by heavy rains in many parts of the country, including his archdiocese.

The archbishop offered prayers for the flood victims during his Christmas Day Mass at the Archdiocesan Shrine of Birhen sa Cotta and appealed for relief for those affected.

“Let us continue to pray that more help will come to them,” Jumoad said as the archdiocese’s Social Action Center started their relief operations on Monday.

“Let us also offer prayers that weather conditions improve,” he said.

Authorities on Monday reported eight people dead and 19 were missing after incessant rains inundated parts of southern and eastern regions of the country.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRMMC) said six fatalities were reported in Misamis Occidental and two in Camarines Sur.

Those missing, on the other hand, were reported in Bicol, Eastern Visayas, and Northern Mindanao. Most of them, the NDRMMC said, were fishermen who still sailed despite the bad weather.

The agency also said that of the affected population, 44,672 individuals or 9,216 families were displaced and spent Christmas in evacuation centers.