Marikina remembers Ondoy with tree planting, disaster preparedness forum

Ten years after Tropical Storn Ondoy inundated Marikina City and parts of Metro Manila after strong rains, folks gathered on Thursday to plant trees and participate  in a forum on disaster preparedness. 

Women’s groups Center for Women's Resources and Gabriela Women's Party joined Marikina Mayor Marcelino Teodoro with other government officials in a lecture-forum at Barangay Malanday covered court.

The forum titled 10 Taon: Paggunita sa Hagupit ng Ondoy | Sumulong, Maging  Handa will be followed by a candle lighting ceremony along Marikina river sidewalk.

Marikina City is one of the most affected areas during the onslaught of Ondoy on September 26, 2009. 

“The national government can look into the efforts of the Marikina local government on how it has learned its lesson after Ondoy,” CWR executive director Jojo Guan said in a statement.

Aside from the forum, a tree-planting event was held at the Marikina River Park organized by the local government and faculty officers of General Parents-Teachers Association in the city.

Teodoro, Representative Stella Quimbo, vice mayor Marion Andres, and other city officials led the activities.

—LDF, GMA News