‘Yolanda’ anniversary
TACLOBAN CITY- The Sangguniang Panlungsod of this city unanimously approved an ordinance declaring every November 8, the day Tacloban was devastated by super typhoon ‘Yolanda,’ as a day of remembrance and gratitude.
The measure, principally authored by Councilor Aurora Aimee Delgado-Grafil, was passed by the city council on September 20.
“November 8 of every year is hereby declared as ‘A Day of Remembrance and Gratitude’ in the city of Tacloban to pay tribute to the memory of all who died during the onslaught of (super) typhoon ‘Yolanda’, to the survivors whose resiliency inspired people around the globe, and to all volunteers and organizations who took part and contributed in the recovery and rehabilitation efforts of the city,” part of the ordinance said.
The same ordinance mandates that the Office of the City Mayor, through the City Tourism Office, as the lead agency to come up in the planning, implementation, and supervision of the annual activities with the coordination of non-government and government organizations.
The measure is deemed effective upon its approval by the city council.
A similar measure was earlier approved by the House of Representatives authored by Leyte Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez.
Under House Bill 4383, every Nov.8 should be ‘Yolanda Commemoration’ and special non-working holiday across the region.
Aside from Grafil, who chairs the committee on environmental protection and waste management, the measure was also authored by Councilors Gerry Uy, Evangeline Esperas, Raissa Villasin and Jose Mario Bagulaya with Councilor Maria Elvira Casal as co-sponsor.
Tacloban is considered the ground zero of Yolanda, considered the strongest typhoon to hit inland.
More than 2,200 people from the city died while about P10 billion worth of properties were destroyed when Yolanda barreled the city on November 8, 2013.
The recovery of Tacloban became fast and smooth as various governments and international organizations, to include those under the umbrella of the United Nations, came to the city to help recover its people.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)
