MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) started last Monday, Nov.23, to fly its flags at half-mast in its offices nationwide in honor of first responders who died in the recent landslide in Ifugao as Typhoon Ulysses swept through the country.
The flags would be flown at half-mast daily from sunrise to sunset until Friday, Nov. 27, according to DPWH Secretary Mark Villar.
Five members of a DPWH clearing operations team — John Limoh, Julius Gulayan Jr., Joel Chur-ig, Johnny Duccog, and Roldan Pigoh – died while clearing roads in Ifugao province after the onslaughtof Ulysses last Nov. 12.
“We grieve with the families, friends of those brave hearts who unfortunately sacrificed their lives to fulfill their sworn duty as public servants,” Villar said.
Flying the flag at half-mast is in accordance with provisions of the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines.
Last Nov. 15, the DPWH reported that Chur-ig, the driver of the group; laborer Duclog; and engineers Limoh and Gulayan were found dead in a search, rescue, and retrieval operation led by the DPWH.
Among those who participated in the operation were members of the Ifugao Provincial Mobile Force Company, the Banaue Police Provincial Office, the Regional Mobile Force Battalion, and the Bureau of Fire Protection.
According to the DPWH, the team was clearing the blocked portion of the Nueva Vizcaya-Ifugao-Mt. Province Road, but heavy rainfall prevented them from continuing.
As they sought refuge in a nearby house, the heavy rain caused a landslide that immediately buried the civilians and the Quick Response Team.
On learning of the incident, netizens questioned why Pingoh was not included in the list of victims honored by DPWH — with some speculating that his status as a contractual worker was the reason for his not being cited.
Villar then edited his Facebook post and the DPWH then included Pingoh in later posts and discussions about the members of the clearing team.
Ulysses — along with the two previous typhoons, Rolly and Quinta — caused extensive destruction and immense flooding in various parts of Luzon — particularly the Bicol Region, Southern Luzon, Central Luzon, Cagayan Valley, and Metro Manila.
As of Nov. 19, the estimated damage to infrastructure and agriculture caused by Ulysses was at P10 billion, but officials in Marikina — one of the hardest hit areas — place the figure in the city alone at P30 billion.
As of Nov. 17, the number of deaths due to Ulysses was at 73.
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