TACLOBAN CITY- A resolution was passed by the members of the council of this city seeking Congress to enact a law to make every November 8 of the year as a special non-working holiday.
Last November 8, 2013, Tacloban was devastated by supertyphoon Yolanda that cause for the death of more than 2,000 people and destruction of properties estimated at more than P10 billion. During their regular session last August 13, Councilor Neil Glova introduced the measure seeking Congress and President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino approved a law making it a special non-working holiday in Tacloban, considered the ground zero of Yolanda, every Nov.8. Glova said that aside from remembering those who were killed during the tragedy, the day will also be a time for the people of Tacloban expresses their gratitude for all the groups, local, national and international, that extended assistance to the victims of Yolanda.
Different humanitarian organizations descended to Tacloban a day after it was battered by Yolanda to give assistance to its people whose houses were either totally washed out or damaged.
These groups provided not only housing kits but also food, water and even financial and livelihood assistance directly to the victims. Vice Mayor Jerry “Sambo” Yaokasin said that he is optimistic that this resolution will be taken positively by Congress and the President. He also urged other areas hit by Yolanda to come up with similar measure to ensure that this will get the support of Mr. Aquino and Congress. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)
