QUEZON CITY (PIA) -- “We remember those whom we were told not to remember.”

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said it is up to the people to keep the memories of those who perished in the ‘Yolanda’ tragedy alive. This is the President’s statement when he attended the blessing of the Yolanda Memorial Mass Grave and offering of the wreath at the Holy Cross Memorial Garden in Tacloban City, Leyte on November 8. The event coincides with the 9th anniversary of the typhoon hitting the city.

Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez opened the program by extending his gratitude to President Marcos who at the time of the Yolanda typhoon was still a senator. He said the President stayed with him throughout the recovery and retrieval stage, immediately after the typhoon.

Romualdez said he is also grateful to the people of Tacloban.

“It was the families that inspired us to move forward. I take this opportunity to thank all of you for making that dream and task possible, na nakabalik na tayo sa normal nating pamumuhay.”

In his speech during the event, the President said, “Those who have lost have learned to live with that grief have learned to live with that grief. And although we continue to feel sad, life has gone on for them. So why continue? Why bring it up? I come here because I must commemorate those uncounted dead that up to now we do not know how many that number is. We must come to these commemorations so that we will remember those who we were told not to remember."

“We continue to grieve our dead. We not only grieve the dead that are here but we also grieve for those whom we do not even know how many they are, who they are, and where they are, and for that, the tragedy of Yolanda continues” he added.

President Marcos believes that this commemoration is a demonstration and manifestation of the strength and courage of Filipinos.

“Filipinos will conquer all especially if it is for their communities, families, and for the land that they love.”

He expressed his happiness upon seeing how Tacloban has “built back better.” He said it is a wondrous site to see and it gives everyone hope to know that even if there are tragedies and disasters, the Filipino spirit will never be quelled.

To conclude, the President asked everyone to offer a moment of silence for those who have lost their loved ones in the tragedy and for the departed souls.

Super Typhoon Yolanda claimed the lives of more than 6,000 people during its onslaught, devastated parts of the Visayas and other areas, and affected millions of families. (ARB, PIA-CPSD)