TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, (PIA) – Taclobanons and attendees responded with a resounding applause when Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez thanked the national government in his reconciliatory message during the commemorative program of the second year of Yolanda Memorial.
“In behalf of the city of Tacloban, we would like to thank the national leadership including our president, for all the help given to Tacloban,” Mayor Romualdez said.
Romualdez has been criticizing publicly the rehabilitation and recovery efforts of the national government in Tacloban for the past two years but said recently that it did not mean he was ungrateful for all the help that were poured-in to Tacloban.
“Minsan po nakakapagsalita kami ng mga maaanghang na salita pero at no given time were we ungrateful for all the help that was given to us. Pasensya nalang po kung nakakapagsalita kami ng mga maaanghang dahil kami’y tao lamang at kami po’y labis na nasaktan dahil masakit talaga ang nangyari sa amin,” he said. Meanwhile, in his homily,
said that “concentrating so much on our pains can turn our hearts harder like stones, but suffering can be an opportunity not only because good can come from it but also because our pain can bring us closer to Him.”
Romualdez, who led the ceremonial unveiling of the Astrodome Memorial, was thankful to everyone, called for unity and reassured to continue to fight to be strong and resilient Taclobanons.
“Let this memorial be a symbol to all the leaders of the world, let us work hard for the future for the next generation and let’s always remind ourselves that in times of desperation we have our duty not only to our people but to God, to always bring out the best in us and always love one another.”
Other commemorative activities held during the second year anniversary of Yolanda include the unveiling of the Shipwreck Memorial in Anibong, commemorative walk, commemorative tablet unveiling at the DZR airport, Holy Mass and blessing of the graves of Yolanda victims at the Holy Cross memorial in Brgy. Basper and candlelight memorial. (aen/PIA-8)
