Palace channels EDSA-1 spirit to help ‘Yolanda’ victims

As it marked 100 days after super typhoon Yolanda ( Haiyan) devastated Visayas and Southern Luzon, Malacañang on Sunday thanked all those who have helped but admitted the work of helping those affected remains a long and challenging one.

Presidential Communications Operations Office head Herminio Coloma Jr. asked Filipinos to practice the spirit of the 9186 EDSA Revolution in extending help to those affected.

" We call on all Filipinos in the spirit of bayanihan and in the spirit of EDSA People Power that we will be celebrating soon to continue working with government and all donor and aid agencies in extending a helping hand to our countrymen who are rebuilding their lives and seeking a better future," Coloma said on government- run dzRB radio.

" We realize that despite its best efforts, government is unable to adequately respond to all the needs of all the affected families and individuals. We continue to welcome suggestions on how we can improve our response and assistance," he added.

Still, he said government is " firmly determined to carry out massive rehabilitation efforts in all 171 municipalities and cities affected by this unprecedented calamity."

On Nov. 8 last year, Yolanda tore through the Visayas and parts of Southern Luzon, leaving more than 6,200 dead.

The destruction it caused triggered a massive response from the international community.

Yet, Coloma cited the advice of United Nations resident humanitarian coordinator Luiza Carvalho that no one can afford to become complacent at this time.

He said that while authorities, UN agencies, and non- government organizations and the Filipino people should be commended for the progress in relief and rehabilitation, "we cannot afford to be complacent.”

Meanwhile, Coloma thanked the UN, foreign governments, international and domestic organizations, civic organizations, and volunteers who "extended and continue to provide financial and logistical support, as well as valuable time, talent, and treasure to affected families in the calamity zones."