By MIKE ORTEGA LIGALIG

After holding a highly-participated and first-ever human prayer chain rally which stretched 262 kilometers of Bohol's coastal lines, the provincial government of Boholis now eyeing of holding the country's longest human-body-composed prayer linkas an annual event, getting everyone involved in sending prayers to heaven for the nation's victims of natural calamities. For next year's prayer chain event, the provincial government here is also open to plans of inviting staff from the Guinness Book of World Records to witness the volunteer-empowered prayer rally as it hopes to inspire other local government units to undertake the same activity “not only after each calamity but even when there is no disaster in our land,” said Liza M. Quirog, Bohol's prayer rally organizer and head of the provincial government's internal affairs.

As Bohol celebrated the country's 116th Independence Day celebration last Thursday, more than half million Boholanos took to the streets and formed a human prayer chain, lighting up candles as dusk falls, and church bells were heard ringing well into the evening. The prayer chain event wrapped up this year's nine-week Bayani Challenge, a nationwide call for volunteerism to help those hit by calamities. The prayer chain covered the whole 262 kilometers circumferential road of Bohol, Gov. Edgar M. Chatto reported during his weekly radio program, and “we hope that it has sent a message to all nations, most especially to our fellow countrymen, that if we united in prayer and deeds we can face any calamity and rise from any damage.”

Chatto thanked those hundreds of thousands of volunteers in Bohol who have stepped forward in helping those hit by last year's 7.2 magnitude earthquake. Quirog said the volunteers came from Bohol's 47 towns and one city, noting that more than half million Boholanos had committed to volunteer in future relief efforts whenever they are needed. Earlier, Bohol,through DILG and DBM secretaries Mar Roxas and Butch Abad, received a check worth P2.39 billion from the national government to fund the province's recovery efforts in rebuilding damaged public infrastructures. The cash aid is part of the government's second phase of relief. The first phase of assistance was focused on food, shelter, medicine, education, health and livelihood. Chatto has said the recovery of Bohol from last year's massive earthquake “is still far from done until everyone has been helped to stand on their own.”

Pres. Aquino, who had made five official visits to the province since Oct. 15, has made Bohol as the country's “best model” for rehabilitation from disaster, heaping praises on Bohol leaders for their quick response, unity, and resilience amid the ruins of last year's deadly tremor. In his message here, Aquino has urged the whole nation to learn from Bohol how to recover from disaster and rise from hardship without throwing blame at each other. “In terms of diligence, it will be difficult to beat this group. If your leadership is this hard-working, I will not be surprised that a bright future awaits Boholanons. They are public servants who will not leave you in your hour of need,” Aquino said of Bohol leaders, during his May 2 visit here.