By Bohol Island News Staff / 1:33 PM October 15, 2019
Bohol observed a moment of silence at 8:12 a.m. on Tuesday, the exact minute that the magnitude 7.2 quake struck the province on October 15, 2013.
The earthquake, six years ago, affected over 1.2 million people and left 222 people dead, 976 injured, and eight people missing. Over 79,000 structures including homes, roads, churches, schools, and public buildings were damaged. There were 14,500 that were destroyed and resulted in the displacement of over 340,000 people.
The towns joined the simultaneous ringing of bells and sounding of alarms or sirens at exactly 8:12 am for 33 seconds.
Masses were held in different towns in the province.
Families, who lost their loved ones, also visited the cemeteries to remember them.
“We remember with prayers our fellow Boholanos who perished in the October 15, 2013 Great Bohol Earthquake,” said Bohol first district Congressman Edgar M. Chatto, in a statement.
“Six years later, we all look back with pride at how the Boholanos showed unity, strength, perseverance & resiliency when that 7.2 magnitude tremor hit our beloved Bohol. The spirit of giving and sharing paved the way to early recovery,” Chatto added.
The lawmaker also cited the rehabilitation efforts made in the province.
“We no longer see traces of destruction other than the rebuilding of some totally damaged centuries-old churches. Let this moment be a day of thanksgiving to the Lord Almighty and to all those who helped Bohol bounce back to life, healing the pains in our hearts. As we always say, “When God closes a door, He opens several other windows”.”
