MANILA – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has urged Filipinos to help those who were recently affected by consecutive tropical cyclones and the recent fires feel the Christmas season.
In a speech during the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Malacañang Palace on Sunday night, President Marcos said he wished for every Filipino to “feel somehow Christmas.”
“It is a joyful time for all the Filipinos. But as we celebrate, 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 the shelters. Many of them are still in need,” Marcos said.
“And all of these disasters, like I just came and saw some victims of fires. All of these people, let’s just keep them in mind and do what Filipinos do. Let’s help each other,” he added.
Six tropical cyclones entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility consecutively since October: Kristine, Leon, Marce, Nika, Ofel, and Pepito.
These storms affected over 4.316 million people and also logged P5.9 billion worth of agricultural damage.
Meanwhile, several fires were also recorded the past few months, including recently in Isla Puting Bato in Tondo, Manila./PN
