TAGBILARAN CITY –– For 33 seconds, church and government bells rang in Tagbilaran City, Bohol, on Thursday to commemorate the seventh anniversary of the devastating earthquake that brought this province to its knees.
The pealing of bells transpired at 8:12 a.m., the time when the 7.2 magnitude earthquake shook and killed 222 people and destroyed or damaged homes, places of worship, and public infrastructure.
Wearing face masks and sitting a meter apart, a Mass was also held at the new provincial capitol.
After the Mass, the provincial government launched the “Laum” (Hope) project to advocate mental health and well-being.
“What a better way to mark this occasion of the seventh Great Bohol Earthquake than by launching a program dedicated to building up the the resiliency of the Boholanos by extending a hand for the weak, the faceless, the voiceless and most especially the youth of Bohol, “ Yap said in his message.
He said the COVID-19 pandemic caused suffering, depression, violence, fear, and uncertainty for the youth of Bohol.
A unity ride was also held by Team Sikad Kapitolyo to highlight Bohol’s resilience.