LEGAZPI CITY, Albay – One-thousand residents and survivors on Thursday, November 30, marked the 17th anniversary of super typhoon “Reming” in the memorial shrine in Barangay Padang here.
PEOPLE light candles during the 17th anniversary of super typhoon ‘Reming’ at the memorial shrine in Barangay Padang, Legazpi City on November 30. (Niño N. Luces)
The event in which a mass, candle-lighting, and relief distribution were held was led by the Barangay Padang Council in partnership with Ako Bicol party-list.
Barangay Captain Harold Bembenuto said that the commemoration is their annual tribute to victims of the howler.
"Na-establish po natin ‘yung commemoration na more festive since 2018 dahil sa kagustuhan natin bilang lider ng komunidad, masakit sa akin kahit papano, na alalahanin ‘yung mga nangyaring sakuna, kaya ngayon pinapalitan po natin ang mga masasamang alaala ng masayang selebrasyon o mas festive na approach dahil ipinagdiriwang natin dito ‘yung kaligayahan dahil binigyan tayo ng bagong buhay," Bembenuto said.
On November 30, 2003, 75 people were killed, 21 of whom were unidentified, and 129 are still missing when lahar from Mayon Volcano as a result of heavy rains by Reming swamped Barangay Padang and nearby areas.
Legazpi had the highest number of casualties and missing persons, followed by Guinobatan, Daraga, and Camalig.
Bembenuto said that they are now pushing to have the shrine listed in the Memories of the World (MOW) of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
"Ang UNESCO meron silang Memory of the World. Dini-designate nila ‘yan sa mga lugar na kung saan may malaking kontribusyon para sa isang significant event. I could say, ‘yung nangyari na ‘yun sa pananalasa ni Reming, ito ‘yung dahilan kung bakit maraming programa ang nagawa pagdating sa climate change adaptation and disaster response management," he said.
House Committee on Appropriations chairman Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co said that due to Reming's devastation, the party-list was born.
"Ang mapanirang epekto ng bagyong Reming ang naging dahilan ng pagkabuo ng Ako Bicol party-list, dating SOS, may may layuning tumulong sa mga biktima ng kalamidad, pag-alalay sa mga mamayan para makabawi at pagtaguyod ng pag-unlad sa rehiyon. Ang pangyayaring ito ang nagbigay diin sa kahalagahan ng pagkakaisa, katatagan, at pagkapwa-tao sa panahon ng krisis," Co said.
"Seventeen years ago, nag-iwan ang bagyong Reming ng malawakang pagkasira sa ating rehiyon. Maraming Bicolano ang namatay, naulila, at nawalan ng tahanan. We grieved, we rebuilt, and most importantly, we grew stronger together,” he added.
Co hopes that Reming may serve as a lesson for everyone especially during disasters.
“Haharapin natin ang kinabukasan nang may pag-asa, sinisiguro na ang ating komunidad ay hindi lamang matatag kundi umuunlad din sa harap ng mga kahirapan. Ang diwa ng katatagan at pagkakaisa na nabuo pagkatapos ng Bagyong Reming ay patuloy na magiging gabay natin,” he said.
Ako Bicol led the distribution of relief items to more than 600 people who attended the event.