By Brian Campued
“We all deserve Christmas.”
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Sunday called on the nation to remember the victims of recent tropical cyclones and other disasters this yuletide season, stressing that these adversities cannot deter Filipinos from losing their Christmas spirit.
During the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony in Malacañang, the President reminded the public the true essence of Christmas, which is to extend compassion to those in need.
“I would like to ask you to hold a thought for all those people who, up to now, are trying to recover from the effects of the six typhoons that we suffered in 23 days. Many of them are still in shelters. Many of them are still in need,” he said.
Since late October, the Philippines has experienced the onslaught of six consecutive tropical cyclones, namely: Kristine, Leon, Marce, Nika, Ofel, and Pepito.
Marcos also mentioned the victims of the fire that recently ravaged Tondo, Manila. The Chief Executive, on Saturday, distributed P21 million in financial aid under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
“Let’s just keep them in mind and do what Filipinos do: Let’s help each other,” Marcos added.
“And my Christmas wish is that despite everything…every Filipino should feel Christmas. Because after all, no matter how many typhoons they throw at us. No matter how many problems are thrown at us, there’s nothing that will quench the Christmas spirit in the Filipino heart,” he added.
-avds