By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
On the 11th anniversary of Super Typhoon Yolanda, House Speaker Martin Romualdez called for persistent action against climate change, which has led to increasingly severe weather events affecting the Philippines.
As Leyte was one of the areas hardest hit by Yolanda, Speaker Romualdez, who represents the province, highlighted the House of Representatives’ commitment to legislative actions that encourage climate resilience to protect Filipinos from future calamities.
“Hindi na dapat maulit pa ang trahedyang naganap noong panahon ng Yolanda. Gaano man kalakas ang bagyong darating, dapat nating siguruhin na nakahanda ang ating mga kababayan. We must be vigilant against climate change to protect our people from falling victim to such tragedies,” Speaker Romualdez said.
Moreover, he also shared significant developments made in Leyte in the years since Yolanda struck, notably highlighting the benefits brought about by the 38.12-km Leyte Tide Embankment Project to residents of Tacloban City, one of the areas that were completely devastated by that typhoon.
The 30-meter high seawall, first erected in 2016, is designed to protect communities from the effect of storm surges and stand as a physical shield for the coastal city.
Romualdez also referred to House Bill (HB) No. 7354 or the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act, which mandates the establishment of permanent, storm-resilient evacuation centers across the Philippines to provide safe refuge for communities during natural disasters.
“Ang Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act ay isa lamang sa mga panukalang ating tututukan hanggang maging batas, para lahat ng lalawigan, lungsod at bayan ay mayroong sapat na bilang ng evacuation centers,” Speaker Romualdez said.
Furthermore, he also highlighted the need for strengthening coordination among government agencies, local authorities, and communities to ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of implementing these programs.
In commemorating the Yolanda tragedy, Speaker Romualdez expressed solidarity with all those who lost loved ones and homes.
“Hindi namin kayo pababayaan. We are here to make sure that no one is left behind as we move forward,” Speaker Romualdez said.
-iro