IN light of the several tropical cyclones that have hit the nation in recent weeks, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. urged Filipinos to come together and pray on Monday.
“Our collective faith and prayer to the Almighty is the most powerful tool that we have to weather these storms and the destruction that they bring,” the President stated during his remarks at the 49th Philippine National Prayer Breakfast (PNPB) held at Malacañang.
According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Monday, 1,145,942 people or 295,576 families have been impacted by tropical cyclones Nika, Ofel, and Pepito in the Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Mimaropa, Bicol Region, and Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).
As a result, 685,071 people were forced to leave their houses and look for temporary housing elsewhere.
Marcos thanked the PNPB for joining him in the wake of Typhoon Pepito (international name: Man-Yi), stressing the value of faith and unity.
The President stated, “The PNPB’s vision—to unite in the spirit of Christ, shape our lives according to God’s will, and work together to bring about the realization of God’s reign in the Philippines—is a clear call to all who bear the responsibility of leadership to look beyond the immediate, to aspire to what is enduring and what is righteous.”
“Beliefs, politics, and even cultural differences across generations are causing a great deal of division in the world and our nation. These frequently cause us to lose sight of our humanity and the fact that we all have the same objective: to help the Philippines thrive and assist our fellow Filipinos,” he continued.
According to Marcos, the event took place at a crucial time since Filipinos have been dealing with a series of difficulties since October 21, starting with Severe Tropical Storm Kristine and continuing through Pepito.
Therefore, he called on leaders to renew their dedication to service with faith and discernment based on prayer.
Marcos stated, “Let us reaffirm our commitment to seek divine wisdom, to bridge divides, and to lead with conviction that our nation’s best days are ahead of us.”