President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. stressed on Friday, November 8, that the Philippines should always remember the lessons that the country learned from the devastation brought by Super Typhoon Yolanda.
President Marcos Jr. issued the statement as the country commemorates the 11th anniversary of ST Yolanda.
"As the most disaster-prone country in the world, we cannot do otherwise. We do not have the luxury of ignorance, inaction, and complacency," the President said in a statement.
"Thus, we must intensify our efforts to mitigate and adapt to the challenges of climate change and urgently abate our vulnerability to disasters," he added.
The Chief Executive stressed the importance of empowering communities and strengthening the local government units since both form the first line of defense against calamities.
He also highlighted the need for speedy delivery of relief and aid.
"Calamities are teaching moments, and every one that came after Yolanda delivered a payload of lessons that instructed us how to improve our response," President Marcos remarked
"Since then, we have strengthened institutional bulwarks against calamities, which our countrymen have matched with increasing care and compassion for those affected," he added.
President Marcos Jr. also recognized the help extended by the international community while the Philippines recovers from ST Yolanda.
"It is also because of this bayanihan of our race that the pain of victims is assuaged and the rebuilding of homes and livelihoods is accelerated," the President said.
"On this day, we remember the kindness of the international community, whose outpouring of support helped us heal fast," he stressed.
President Marcos Jr. mentioned the ongoing recovery efforts in areas hit by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine and Typhoon Leon.
"Our ongoing crucibles remind us that the powerful lessons brought by the strongest typhoon in history should not be lost with the passage of time," the Chief Executive said.
Based on reports, at least 6,300 perished when ST Yolanda hit the country in 2013.
