Bacolod Bishop Vicente Navarra is calling on politicians planning to run in the 2010 elections to divert their campaign funds to relief assistance for the victims of tropical storm Ondoy.

"Instead of using money for their useless [political] campaign, it would be better if they use it to help out the victims," Navarra said Tuesday.

The bishop has also called rich Negrenses to donate relief goods for the affected residents of Metro Manila.

"To politicians and those who have more in life, it's time to pool our resources and help people," he said.

Government date showed that at least 2.25 million people from Metro Manila, Ilocos region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, and Northern Luzon were affected or displaced by the storm.

A total of 246 people have been confirmed dead and 42 others missing, data from the National Disaster Coordinating Council said.

Navarra, meanwhile, blamed the government's lack of programs to protect the environment in the devastating effects of the storm.

"The government should take good care of the environment instead of protecting those who abuse our resources, our forests and our waters," the bishop said.