By Junex Doronio

MANILA — Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez has marked the 11th anniversary of Super Typhoon Yolanda’s devastation by calling for continued vigilance against climate change, which has led to increasingly severe weather events affecting the Philippines.

As Leyte was one of the areas hardest hit by Yolanda, Romualdez, who represents the province, highlighted the House of Representatives’ commitment to legislative actions that encourage climate resilience to protect Filipinos from future calamities.

“Hindi na dapat maulit pa ang trahedyang naganap noong panahon ng Yolanda. Gaano man kalakas ang bagyong darating, dapat nating siguruhin na nakahanda ang ating mga kababayan. We must be vigilant against climate change to protect our people from falling victim to such tragedies,” Romualdez said.

In Tacloban, he said, a significant development that has contributed to the safety of the community is the construction of a giant seawall.

This massive structure, designed to protect Taclobanons from storm surges similar to those experienced during Yolanda, stands as a physical shield for the city.

“Ang seawall na ito ay nagbibigay ng kapanatagan sa puso ng mga Taclobanon, dahil alam natin na may dagdag na proteksyon laban sa mga bagyong maaaring dumating,” Romualdez said.

He added that the giant seawall, started in 2016 and is officially named the Leyte Tide Embankment Project.

The 38.12-km Leyte Tide Embankment Project, stretching from Tacloban City to nearby Tanauan town, stands 30 meters high and is aimed at protecting people, houses, and buildings from storm surges.

In the wake of Yolanda, which claimed thousands of lives and destroyed homes and infrastructure across the Visayas region, Romualdez reflected on the hardships endured by his constituents.

Yolanda, one of the strongest on record, left Leyte and other parts of Region 8 in ruins, with many residents still grappling with the aftermath years later.

“As public servants, tungkulin namin na siguraduhin ang kaligtasan ng bawat Pilipino. Our commitment to address climate change should continue to inspire us to craft legislation that can shield our people from adverse effects of any calamity,” he stated.

One of the key legislative measures pushed by the House of Representatives under Romualdez’s leadership is House Bill (HB) No. 7354 or the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act.

This measure mandates the establishment of permanent, storm-resilient evacuation centers across the Philippines.

These centers are intended to provide safe refuge for communities during natural disasters.

“Ang Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act ay isa lamang sa mga panukalang ating tututukan hanggang maging batas, para lahat ng lalawigan, lungsod at bayan ay mayroong sapat na bilang ng evacuation centers,” Romualdez said.

He further explained that these centers would be equipped with essential facilities, including healthcare stations and areas for vulnerable groups, to ensure safety and dignity for all evacuees.

Romualdez emphasized that preventing another tragedy like Yolanda requires not only immediate relief and recovery efforts but also long-term strategies focused on resilience and adaptation.

“Hindi sapat na tayo ay maghanda lamang para sa susunod na sakuna; kailangan natin ng mga istrukturang pangmatagalan na tatagal laban sa anumang bagyo o kalamidad,” he added.

The Speaker assured the public that the House of Representatives would continue to prioritize climate resilience legislation, particularly measures that support the construction of disaster-ready infrastructure and enhance community preparedness.

“We are determined to equip our cities and municipalities with the resources they need to withstand the challenges posed by climate change,” he affirmed.

Romualdez reiterated the need for strengthened coordination among government agencies, local authorities, and communities in implementing these programs.

“It takes a whole-of-society approach to combat climate change effectively. We need everyone’s cooperation,” he said.

As the 11th anniversary of Yolanda serves as a reminder of the typhoon’s impact, Speaker Romualdez expressed solidarity with all those who lost loved ones and homes.

“Hindi namin kayo pababayaan. We are here to make sure that no one is left behind as we move forward,”  Romualdez said.

ia/mnm