Push Admin

Duterte urges Filipinos to 'pray more' in face of calamities

Article (news)

Jamaine Punzalan, ABS CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/news/02/16/20210215-duterte-iatf-mnib24.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption>President Rodrigo Duterte gives a statement after holding a meeting with the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) members in Matina, Davao City on February 15, 2021. <em>Alberto Alcain, Presidential Photo/file</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday urged the public to &quot;pray more&quot; in face of calamities due to climate change, even as the country battles the COVID-19 pandemic. </p><p>Duterte said he <a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/23/21/duterte-to-visit-southern-storm-lashed-areas-official" target="_blank">visited</a> on Tuesday the southern province of Surigao Del Sur, which was hit by tropical cyclone Auring over the weekend. </p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/multimedia/photo/02/21/21/auring-brings-massive-flooding-in-tandag-surigao-del-sur">Auring brings massive flooding in Tandag, Surigao del Sur</a></li></ul><p>&quot;Noong una, iyong climate change, medyo ano pa ako, parang ayaw akong maniwala. Pero ngayon, sobra talaga ang tubig na galing sa langit because of umiinit ho ang planeta,&quot; the President said in a televised speech.</p><p>(At first, I was hesitant to believe in climate change. But now, the water from the heavens is excessive because the planet is heating up.)</p><p>&quot;Ngayon, wala nang panahon sa bagyo. The bagyo can come anytime,&quot; he added. </p><p>(There is no longer a season for storms. The storm can come anytime.)<br/> </p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/spotlight/01/25/21/storm-damage-worsens-in-a-warming-world-hiking-pressure-to-adapt">Storm damage worsens in a warming world, hiking pressure to adapt</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/spotlight/12/28/20/2020-weather-disasters-boosted-by-climate-change-report">2020 weather disasters boosted by climate change: report</a></li></ul><p>Duterte told the public, &quot;So many things really coming our way, problems. But if you want to have an advice, if you’re ready to get one, there is one thing really that can save this planet, it’s God.&quot; </p><p>&quot;Maybe we should pray more,&quot; he added. </p><p>Packing maximum winds of 65 kilometers per hour and 80 kph gusts, Auring was the first storm to hit the Philippines this year. It has since weakened into a low pressure area, which state weather bureau PAGASA said fizzled out early Monday. </p><p>The Philippines sees around 20 tropical cyclones annually. </p><div><strong>— With a report from Reuters</strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3SxyMg0Z8BI?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div>

<p>MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday urged the public to "pray more" in face of calamities due to climate change, even as the country battles the COVID-19 pandemic. <br /> </p>

MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday urged the public to "pray more" in face of calamities due to climate change, even as the country battles the COVID-19 pandemic.

Duterte urges Filipinos to 'pray more' in face of calamities

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Traffic

Manila

Horoscope

News

Duterte urges Filipinos to 'pray more' in face of calamities

Jamaine Punzalan,

ABS CBN News

Published Feb 24, 2021 11:44 PM PHT

|

Updated Feb 25, 2021 05:59 AM PHT

Read More:

Duterte storm

Duterte religion

Duterte pray more

Duterte Auring

Auring

Auring storm

Auring LPA

Duterte storm

disaster

Duterte February 2021

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.