National Day of Prayer declared in typhoon-hit areas

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang has declared Jan. 20 as a National Day of Prayer and Solidarity to highlight the Filipinos’ strong faith in God, which President Aquino had credited for the resiliency of disaster victims.

Incidentally, the event will coincide with the 13th anniversary of EDSA II, which ousted former President Joseph Estrada and catapulted Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Aquino’s political rival, to power.

However, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. did not mention any reference to EDSA II when he explained why Malacañang made such declaration.

“The National Day of Prayer and Solidarity with the theme ‘One Nation in Prayer’ will be held as the Filipino people’s way of recognizing the power of the Almighty God who guides us in our journey towards a brighter future,” Coloma told radio dzRB yesterday.

 â€œPresident Aquino will lead the nation in prayer in a simple program to be held in Malacañang,” he said.

Coloma said the declaration serves as a call for all sectors to pray for the country, which was battered by successive calamities last year.

In his toast during the vin d’honneur held last Friday, Aquino said the Filipinos’ constant faith in God enabled them to weather the disasters that confronted them.

“Some of you have marveled at the resilience of our nation, a people whose faith, though challenged, remains constant and only deepened. Our unbreakable spirit and ability to recover find root in our firm belief in a benevolent God who has the perfect plan for all of us,” he said.  

“These tragedies tell us that despite all our efforts, we are indeed powerless without God,” he added.

Among the disasters that hit the country last year were the armed conflict in Zamboanga between Moro National Liberation Front forces and government troops, the magnitude 7.2 earthquake in Bohol and Super Typhoon Yolanda which hit Leyte and nearby areas.

Rehab efforts hailed

Meanwhile, Malacañang lauded the rehabilitation efforts initiated by private individuals in the Visayas.

Coloma cited Marie Ann Corsino, who helped 79 families rebuild their homes in Dulag, Leyte.