Christmas bonuses offer glimmer of hope

MANILA, Philippines—President Aquino sees a glimmer hope amid gloom and doom brought by supertyphoon “Yolanda.”

The Chief Executive, who personally saw the devastation wrought by Yolanda when he visited Tacloban City on Sunday, has also ordered the release of Christmas bonuses—one-half of 13th month pay of state workers and P5,000-cash gift—to “better respond to calamity,” said Malacañang.

In a statement he issued Wednesday, Aquino thanked local and international aid donors for rushing to extend help to the victims even as he reminded the nation of its resilience in the face of disaster.

“The well of strength and compassion that characterizes us as a nation has time and again proven to be bottomless. Solidarity born of faith and prayer, combined with a steadfast resolve, is showing the world that nothing can make the Filipino spirit yield,” said the President.

“The Almighty has granted us the resilience to withstand such tragedies, secure in our belief that God will continue to guide us as we provide care for our countrymen, rebuild our nation, and prepare for the future.”

He said that in the aftermath of the supertyphoon’s onslaught, there were “many reasons to grieve.”

“Over the past few days, however, the Filipino people have seen many reasons to be grateful as well. Filipinos at home and abroad have, once more, come together to render aid and assistance to hard-hit areas,” Aquino said.

On behalf of all Filipinos, he thanked the international community for its quick response.

“The thought that the community of nations stands in solidarity with our nation has also greatly eased our burdens. On behalf of the Filipino people, I thank the governments and peoples of so many nations—28 as of last count—as well as the donor organizations, who have pledged or already provided assistance, whether technical, financial, or in kind, for the relief and rebuilding efforts that we are undertaking in Leyte, Samar, and other provinces devastated by Haiyan,” he said.

Haiyan is Yolanda’s international name.

In a statement, Budget and Management Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad announced that Aquino had granted the early release today of P16.05 billion for the yearend bonuses of government employees for the second half of 2013.