'Yolanda' migration: 2,000 families leave Samar town MANILA - Secretary to the Cabinet Rene Almendras is encouraging Filipinos to join the National Day of Prayer and Solidarity this coming January 20. He said that after the Yolanda tragedy, President Aquino had received suggestions to declare a Day of Mourning for the victims of super typhoon. However, he said the government had to first address the immediate needs of the survivors. He said President Aquino did not want to just declare a day of prayer but really wanted the government to set aside time to pray. "The idea really is to just pause and pray for all those who passed away and pray for those who survived. The struggle continues. We all know it's not going to be over soon. As the President said in the Vin d'honneur, no matter how strong we build the houses, without God's blessing it is not going to work," he said. Among those consulted about the Day of Prayer are Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, the Iglesia ni Cristo, the president of the Imam association of the Philippines, some indigenous groups, Catholic and Christian organizations. Meanwhile, the devastation brought by super typhoon Yolanda is forcing many families to leave their homes in typhoon-hit provinces to start their lives anew. Almendras said he is checking reports that at least 2,000 families have left a town in Samar after Yolanda destroyed their homes. Many families have left for Cebu, Metro Manila and other areas after Yolanda's onslaught last November 8. Almendras admitted that some middle class families are now poor because of the super typhoon. ANC, January 16, 2014