The government must continue to be relentless in creating safe, adaptive and resilient communities, said Panelo. #Yolanda6thanniv

Tacloban City Mayor Alfred S. Romualdez lays a wreath at the mass gravesite in Barangay Basper Tacloban Friday morning to mark the 6th Anniversary of Super Typhoon Yolanda disaster. (Alfred Romualdez)

The Office of the President honored all Yolanda responders Friday as it joined in remembering the epic disaster caused by the super typhoon six years ago.

“Once again, we honor the sacrifices of those in the frontline agencies of the government, the different organizations, the many volunteers, and the unnamed and anonymous Juan de la Cruz, who responded during one of the most difficult times our country faced,” Chief Presidential Legal Counsel and Presidential Spokesperson said in a statement.

“We laud the exemplary resilience of our own people, which in the face of a great adversity, have remained steadfast and have moved forward,” Panelo said.

According to Panelo, the Office of the President recognizes that natural hazards have become the new normal in the 21st century and therefore, government must continue to be relentless in creating safe, adaptive and resilient communities.

“It is our collective responsibility,” Panelo said.

“Yolanda has likewise taught us, especially those in the bureaucracy, a hard lesson in public service. Tapang and malasakit [Bravery and concern] became buzzwords from a people weary of government apathy,” he added.

Some 6,300 people were killed or went missing after Yolanda (international name Haiyan) struck central Philippines on Nov. 8, 2013, triggering storm surges that wiped out entire communities.