TACLOBAN CITY—“We shall continue to fight to be strong and resilient.”
This was the message of Mayor Alfred Romualdez as the city commemorated the second year of Super Typhoon “Yolanda” which flattened the city and large portions of Eastern Visayas on Nov. 8, 2013.
The Romualdez clan led the unveiling of a marker at the astrodome, which saved 8,000 people’s lives during the onslaught of the killer typhoon two years ago.
“We are all here to honor the men, women, and children that did not make it but fought so hard for their survival,” Romualdez told a crowd of thousands gathered at the venue to witness the unveiling of the Astrodome Marker.
Romualdez also thanked the national government, including President Benigno Aquino III, for all the assistance they extended to help the typhoon victims get back on their feet.
“We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you who have helped all of us Taclobanons,” the mayor said.
Romualdez also apologized for lapses that he said were inevitable “in the most desperate times and moments.”’
“Sometimes, we used harsh words, but at no time were we ungrateful for all the help given us,” the mayor said. “We are sorry if we spoke harshly because we are only human and what happened to us was really painful.”
As the marker was unveiled, the mayor added: “Today, let this memorial be a symbol to all the leaders of the world. Let us work hard for the future of our next generation and let’s always remind ourselves that in times of desperation, we have a duty not only to our people but to God, to always bring the best of us. We will continue to fight to be strong, to be resilient and to always stand up for what is right.”
Joining the mayor at the ceremony were senatorial candidate and Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, the mayor’s wife Kristina, vice presidential candidate Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr., presidential candidate Vice President Jejomar Binay, and several foreign dignitaries.
At an unveiling ceremony at the Daniel Z. Romualdez airport, Congressman Romualdez stressed that malasakit or compassion was the greatest lesson of Yolanda to the whole world.
“As a witness to the overwhelming display of compassion, charity and generosity of spirit from the whole world, we consider ourselves lucky and truly blessed. This second chance at a life and this opportunity to build back better has filled us with hope and strengthened our resiliency to bounce back from all activities,” Romualdez said.
“We are strong in our resolve and our commitment to honor the lives lost and the display of compassion shown by everyone who has come to our aid at the time of our greatest need. Because of all of you, all of us who lived to tell our story, are living testaments to a renewed appreciation for new beginnings and the courage to face life’s hardships,” Romualdez added.
“Today, as we unveil this marker, let it be a reminder to the people of Tacloban, Leyte and Samar, our Filipino brothers and sisters, and our friends from around the world to never forget Yolanda—the lessons learned—and to pay it forward; and most importantly, the lessons of hope we learned from the Holy Father,” Romualdez said.
The lawmaker also urged the Palace to join hands in rehabilitating the devastated region, saying they did not have the luxury of time.
“Lets show the true Filipinos as we are. Let us be united, not only on post-disaster, but as a nation… Let us move forward. We don’t have the luxury of time to squabble over petty disagreements,” he added.
Aquino, in an e-mailed statement, urged Filipinos to pause in prayer for the victims of Yolanda on the second anniversary of its destructive visit.
‘‘Today we commemorate how our country and the world came together to face the challenges of the strongest typhoon in history, typhoon Yolanda,” said Aquino.
“We pause in prayer for the loved ones we lost, and pay tribute to the soldiers and civilians who placed themselves in danger to help their fellow man. May the memory and lessons of that time inspire us to persevere in building back better, and in living up to the solidarity, resilience, and generosity of Filipinos from all walks of life demonstrated not only then, but in all times of challenge and adversity,” said Aquino.
“God’s grace has enabled our country to ease the sufferings of those who lost everything in Yolanda, and reestablish communities that are once again working to have a safer, and prosperous future. This would not have been possible without the world’s embrace of our people and our people’s own heroic generosity and sacrifice,” said the President.
“The Filipino people will never forget the kindness that allowed us to overcome this tragedy and are resolved to be there for nations and peoples similarly affected by tragedy,” Aquino also said.
The statement was read by Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda, during Sunday’s radio interview over state-run dzRB.
In the same program, Lacierda denied accusations that the administration was slow in bringing aid to the typhoon victims.
“You know, the typhoon has been one of the strongest… not only in the Philippines, but the entire recorded history,” said Lacierda.
“Of course, there have been allegations that the services have been slow. We understand. But there are also those who say—such as the United Nations, who has been involved in helping during calamities—that the actions taken by the Philippines and the local governments in Yolanda-affected areas, are faster than a lot of countries,” said Lacierda.
Earlier, a youth group labeled the Aquino administration a “disaster government” as the nation marked the second anniversary of one of the biggest disasters to strike the country.
“It has been two years now after Yolanda, but the people are suffering from the bigger disaster that is the Aquino government,” Anakbayan chairperson Vencer Crisostomo said as he and other activists lit candles to remember the estimated 7,000 people killed by the typhoon.
“Instead of helping the victims, the government pocketed the funds allotted for the victims and paved the way for private contractors and big businesses to profit from the misery of our countrymen,” Crisostomo said.
“The continuing neglect for the welfare of victims of Yolanda shows the heartlessness of the Aquino ‘tuwid na daan [straight path]’ government,” he said, noting that the government allowed aid donations to sit idle in trust accounts while disaster victims begged for assistance.
Also on Sunday, Philippine Red Cross chairman Richard Gordon thanked all the volunteers and partner agencies who came to their aid for the entire Red Cross organization’s response during Yolanda.
“This is the day to recognize the volunteers and staff, this is the day to recall our sacrifices and efforts for the past years,” said Gordon.
“This is important because we don’t have to advertise to everyone what we have done, we know ourselves, we know who we are,” he said.
Talking to over a thousand people in the audience comprising volunteers, partner organizations, local officials, beneficiaries, representatives and leaders from various Red Cross societies around the world, Gordon said the organization lived up to its motto of being “always first, always ready, always there” during and after typhoon Yolanda.
Gordon said that to date the Red Cross organization has already built 66,011 shelters for the Yolanda victims amounting to P2.2 billion, gave livelihood assistance out of conditional cash grants amounting P592,180,000 benefitting 59,218 families, supported 1,109 individuals enrolled in skills training program and 6,001 other individuals with livelihood technical training.
Survivors in Tacloban commemorated Yolanda with thanksgiving and reflection.
“Looking back two years ago, when Yolanda destroyed almost everything we had, including our loved ones, still we are grateful to God because he never left us,” said Fr. Amadeo Alvero of the Palo Archdiocese. With Sandy Araneta